Arne Slot has provided a positive update on injured Liverpool duo Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.
The Liverpool right-backs have not played in any of the Reds' matches since the return from the November international break, with Slot forced to deployed Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Joe Gomez in that role over the last three games.
But he should have more right-back options in the coming weeks, with Slot confirming Bradley returned to training on Monday and could be available to face Leeds United this weekend.
"Conor got into a training session yesterday for the first time, team training, not everything 100 percent yet so don’t get your hopes up too soon," the Dutchman said ahead of the Sunderland encounter.
"But the good thing is he does certain parts with the team and we expect the same with Jeremie next week. But if he is training next week he will miss three or four games."
Slot also hinted he might have to rotate his squad against Sunderland on Wednesday, despite the improved performance in Sunday's win over West Ham United.
Conor Bradley
Bradley was in impressive form before suffering an injury while on international duty
"Yesterday we had recovery and after this press conference we are going to train," said the Liverpool head coach.
"So let’s see how players feel. Florian [Wirtz], for an example, has missed one and a half, two weeks of training, so for him to already play so many minutes was a good thing.
"Joe Gomez is one of them. It was encouraging to see Florian play that well, but it was not the first time he played that well for us.
Alexander Isak
Isak scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool on Sunday (Image: Getty Images)
"For Alex [Isak] to score his first goal was also very positive. Also a player who could not have played five to 10 minutes more than he played because he told me yesterday that he felt a little bit of cramp coming up already.
"He’s another player we should see how he does when he trains today."
Pushed on whether the trio are capable of playing three games in seven days, Slot added: "I think they are not able to play three times 90, that's for sure.
"Now I have to wait and see how they feel today and if they are able to play from the start again but all three can be involved in all three games if they don’t get an injury, that is a fair assumption to make."