Liverpool's Allen nears return from injury

16 October 2013 14:46

Joe Allen hopes to pick up where he left off after a promising pre-season campaign to make an impact in his second season at Liverpool.

The Wales midfielder has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury in the Capital One Cup defeat of Notts County seven weeks ago.

The 23-year-old, who could be in contention for this weekend's Barclays Premier League trip to Newcastle, feels he is still to fully establish himself at Anfield following his move from Swansea last year.

Allen told the club's website, www.liverpoolfc.com: "I've been pretty open - last year didn't quite go as well as I would have hoped.

"There were certain games and moments where I did well - the key is to get that consistently.

"A lot of people have spoken to me, fellow players have said about moving to a different club for the first time. It is the first time I have experienced that.

"That's out of the way now, so hopefully I'm a year on and a year more experienced because of that."

Allen enjoyed playing in more advanced positions during the pre-season campaign and hopes he will have more opportunity to get forward when he returns to action.

He said: "If I have the chance to play further forward, like I did in pre-season, goals are obviously another big one that I'd like to add a bit more to my game.

"It's something I felt was coming at Swansea, and last season sort of stopped a little bit. That's something I think I can offer looking forward."

Source: PA