Rodgers happy with injured pair´s progress

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed Joe Cole and Oussama Assaidi are both doing well on their road to recovery from injury.

Cole, who was on loan at Ligue 1 club Lille last season, suffered a hamstring problem on the opening day of the season in the clash with West Brom.

Rodgers indicated that the winger’s rehabilitation is progressing well, but believes the 30-year-old is still a ‘little way’ off a return to first-team action.

The Northern Irishman told the club’s official website: “Joe is working well and the medical department are pleased with his progress.

“He was out onto the pitch over the weekend doing some work, so there’s still a little way to go with Joe yet but he’s on the right track, which is important.”

Assaidi is a new signing at Anfield after joining from Dutch side Heerenveen in the summer for about 2.4 million pounds, but is yet to make an appearance due to injury.

The Moroccan winger was forced to withdraw from Monday’s reserve match with Manchester City, which ended as a 2-2 draw, after he felt tightness in his groin.

The ex-Swansea manager is confident that the 24-year-old, who scored 20 goals in 79 games for his former club, will train with the squad in the near future.

The 39-year-old added: “He should train today. He was due to play in the reserve game, but after training with the reserves in preparation for the game on Sunday, he felt a little bit of tightness.

“We’re hoping in the next couple of days he’ll be ready to train and re-join the group.”