Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Conor Bradley "is not close to training" with his team-mates but that the full-back has “started to touch the ball” as he continues to make progress in his recovery from injury.
The Northern Ireland international suffered a serious knee injury in a Premier League game against Arsenal back in January and had to undergo surgery to repair the damage.
Northern Ireland right-back Conor Bradley remains some way off a return following a long-term knee injuryplaceholder image
Northern Ireland right-back Conor Bradley remains some way off a return following a long-term knee injury
The 23-year-old missed Northern Ireland’s World Cup play-off semi-final defeat to Italy and Michael O’Neill is definitely going to be without his star player for a four-game Nations League window across September and October.
O'Neill was already resigned to losing Bradley for a considerable period of time as he told the BBC last month that Bradley's recovery was “going to take longer than maybe some people were thinking" before adding it would be a "bonus" to see him in a green jersey before the international window in March 2027.
An update on Bradley’s fitness was given by Iraola as Liverpool prepare for a Carabao Cup showdown against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Tuesday night.
He acknowledged that whilst he would love be able to call upon Bradley’s services, he stressed that the defender’s rehabilitation is “going to take some time” before he is back in action.
“I think he is not close to training with the team,” Iraola told a press conference.
“He’s training alone but he has started touching the ball.
“Definitely I want him as quick as possible ready but it’s a long-term injury.
“I think (Giovanni) Leoni is a little bit ahead of him and still it’s going to take some time for Conor, yes.”
O’Neill is set to name his squad for the two-week international window on Tuesday as Northern Ireland play Georgia home and away, as well as fixtures against Hungary and Ukraine in the Nations League.
In Bradley’s recent absence, O’Neill has experimented with the right-wing back role as Brodie Spencer, Terry Devlin and Paul Smyth have all occupied the berth.