Steven Gerrard has boosted Liverpool - and England - by revealing he expects to be back for pre-season training.
Gerrard has spent the last six weeks recovering from a shoulder operation that ended his 201-13 campaign prematurely, and says his rehabilitation is going well.
The 33-year-old, captain of the Reds and the Three Lions, is expected to step up his fitness work when the Anfield giants report back to work on Tuesday.
He claims he is just a week or two away from taking part in full training.
"It's going well and I'm feeling strong," said Gerrard, speaking at his foundation's charity golf day in Portugal.
"I'm six weeks down the line with the rehabilitation.
"I'm not too far away - maybe a couple of weeks away from contact and being back in full training, if everything goes well.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Gerrard, who had played every minute of Liverpool's Premier League campaign before his operation in April, is desperate to return to action.
He is over the muscle injuries which blighted him in recent years and is excited about the new season, following the signings of Simon Mignolet , Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas and Kolo Toure - with the possibility of more to follow.
"It's probably the longest break I've had at this time of year," he said. "Being out of the game for six weeks is enough. I'm itching to get back."
Gerrard's fitness update is good news for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers and England manager Roy Hodgson.
He will build up his fitness on Liverpool's pre-season tour of Australia, Indonesia and Thailand next month and will be hoping to take part in the games against Melbourne Victory on July 24 and Thailand four days later.
Gerrard will want to get some minutes under his belt before his testimonial, at Anfield against Olympiacos, on August 3 and should be in peak condition when Liverpool kick-off their Premier League campaign at home to Stoke on August 17.
Hodgson can also count on Gerrard, who missed the end-of-season friendlies against Ireland and Brazil, to lead England out in their friendly against Scotland at Wembley on August 14.
Which means Gerrard's name ought to be on the team-sheet for England's World Cup double-header against Moldova and Ukraine in early September.
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