Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole is back in training following a hamstring injury picked up during the Europa League tie with Gomel.
The 30-year-old struggled during his first year at Liverpool and was subsequently loaned to Lille for the 2011/2012 season.
But after being heavily involved in the club’s friendly matches, Cole feels ready for the new campaign.
The England international insisted he was raring to go and hoped to receive a run of games to prove his worth to new manager Brendan Rodgers.
“I trained on Thursday for the first time after the injury and it feels good,” Cole told Liverpool’s website.
“It’s good to be back around the squad and available for selection again. I’ve only missed two weeks, so I feel good fitness-wise as we had a good long pre-season and I just need some games now.
“It was frustrating having to come off in the first game of the season but that’s one of those things you have to deal with as a footballer.
“There’s never a good time to get injured but luckily it wasn’t a major thing and I’m back now raring to go and raring to be part of the team.
“I’ve had a good pre-season. I’ve trained really well and the training was really intense. I really enjoyed the games we played in and playing at Fenway Park was great. I enjoyed the pre-season.”
Liverpool start the new season with a trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
