SADIO MANE HAS offered Liverpool a timely boost by returning to full training after shaking off a hamstring injury.
The Senegalese forward has been out of action since picking up a knock during the last international break.
His last appearance for the Reds came in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle on October 1.
Mane has missed domestic fixtures against Manchester United, Tottenham and Huddersfield along with a Champions League double-header with Maribor.
He was initially expected to be sidelined for around six weeks, but has rejoined Jurgen Klopp’s ranks after progressing ahead of schedule in his recovery.
Mane will not form part of Liverpool’s plans at West Ham on Saturday, with the 25-year-old needing to build up his sharpness to be ready for competitive action.
He could, however, come into contention for a meeting with Southampton on November 18.
Klopp recently stated that he hoped to have a man with three goals to his name this season back in his squad for a clash with the Saints.
He told Liverpool’s official website: “After the international break, I think Adam [Lallana] and Sadio are back.
“It will be close, so hopefully they can train during the international break and be part of the normal training.”
The Reds will be eager to get Mane back into the fold after seeing him endure a disjointed 2017-18 campaign.
A red card picked up against Manchester City in September saw him sit out three games, before then being forced onto the treatment table and missing five more.
Liverpool have fared OK without him in their last two outings, seeing off Huddersfield and Maribor 3-0, but will welcome another injection of pace and power to their attacking unit.
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The organisers have ruined this competition. I’m delighted a French team have been given the same treatment as Leinster but it still doesn’t make it right.
Happy for Connacht though.
@Clark: what would you do though? Or what exactly can be done, considering the pandemic
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: play the feckin tie with players that have tested negative today. Same as should have been done with Leinster, we had a negative match day ready to go. These outbreaks will come and go, those players that are vaccinated and also negative on the day should be allowed play on.
You mean Testdemic.
@Clark: Agrred. These 28 :0 wins were never any good in situations where no one is at fault. Whoever came up with that should be fired on the spot! 1D10TS
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: think the point is, some games 28-0 and others 0-0.. how can that be‽?
@Eoin Roche: where you saying the same when Toulon had a match day 23 all test negative, yet the game was awarded to Leinster?
@Karl Mc Cauley: Thats easy, some games were cancalled due to covid outbreaks (which EPRC legistrates for) and awarded 28-0, and some were cancelled due to travel restrictions (which isnt legislatiled for) so were given as draws.
I didn’t see LNR say anything about it being a scandalous decision when Montpellier were handed a 28-0 win against Leinster
Well deserved, a justification for the brand of rugby they promote.
It’s a total anticlimax of a way for us to make the knockouts, but reaching the knockouts this year, is not near the same as reaching it when there’s only 8 teams, and there’s been a fair and equal group stage. However it’s still great to make it to the last 16, the aim now has to be to make sure we can put our best foot forward, and target further progression in the competition. Have to say I always liked Toulouse, but it’s totally hilarious to see the reaction from both Toulouse and the LNR. One thing to note is how the URC never came in to back Scarlets, Ospreys or Leinster when they got shafted.
@Patrick Breen: good point re the URC… And regarding getting through, its a topsy turvy year, take what you can get, and I bet there will be a great buzz in Connacht now going into this last game regardless.
@SPQH: enjoy it. Get to a semi snd earn the buzz
There’ll be no easy games in the last 16 but I’d like to avoid Racing and Leinster, Exeter and Le Rochelle also if I’m making wish-list
@mike ryan: I think they will be hoping to avoid us as well. A good win tomorrow should give us a home draw, which means we should avoid the likes of the teams you’re talking about.
@Donal McCarthy: actually, just had another look at the table, we need Scarlets to beat Bristol for that to happen. Unlikely
Castres will regret no going full guns last week, but then again they didn’t seem to be too bothered
@Scott Crossfield: I don’t think they give a daam, they’ve always been a bit of a disappointment in Europe, a bit like Montpellier.
@Scott Crossfield: if castres and wasps win toulouse go out.
@Scott Crossfield: Castes have been absolutley ridden by the Mike Addission and his team. The officals have a lot to answer for forward passes by quinns sealing off penalties not given. The last 20 miniutes of reffing was a disgrace
I had my doubts about this years H Cup when I first saw the format. But now………….. meh.
Leicester given a walkover too.
All done in trying to justify the unfair treatment of Leinster. 2 wrongs don’t make a right
More 28 nil BS.