Lucas aided by Cole's Reds return

17 September 2010 14:02
iverpool's Lucas Leiva is looking forward to Joe Cole's return to domestic action just in time for one of the biggest matches of the season.[LNB] Cole has been suspended for the last three Premier League matches after his red card in the season-opening fixture against Arsenal.[LNB]However, the free-transfer summer signing from Chelsea will be thrust back into the team for the short trip to Manchester United on Sunday.[LNB]The 28-year-old warmed up for the occasion by scoring Liverpool's fastest European goal - after just 25 seconds - in Thursday night's 4-1 Europa League victory over Steaua Bucharest.[LNB]His reintroduction to the side will bring some much-needed creativity and is welcomed by Lucas, even if it means he will have to settle for a place on the bench.[LNB]"Having Joe back from suspension is a big advantage for us," said the Brazil international, who scored his best goal for the club with a 25-yard drive against the Romanians.[LNB]"He adds a lot of quality to the team and hopefully he can make the difference.[LNB]"We know it will be a more difficult game than Thursday when we go to Old Trafford, but we will go with confidence and try to win the game.[LNB]"After drawing our last game against Birmingham, we want to win this game.[LNB]"It won't be easy because it's a derby but hopefully we can do well."[LNB]Striker David Ngog will drop back down to the bench as the rested Fernando Torres returns but he does so with his confidence boosted after two goals against Steaua.[LNB]He now has six for the season, and five in as many Europa League matches.[LNB]"It is always nice for a striker to score and I was happy to get a couple and help the team," he said. "It was a good performance and we are pleased to have got off to a good start in this group.[LNB]"We know United will be a tough game because they are strong at home but we can get a good result."

Source: Team_Talk