Liverpool [England], February 20: Liverpool striker Alexander Isak could return by the end of next month to bolster the team's push for Champions League qualification.
The British record signing has been out since mid-December when he fractured a bone in his lower leg and required ankle surgery following a sliding tackle from Tottenham's Micky van de Ven.
After a delayed start to his Anfield career due to a lack of pre-season and some niggling injuries, Isak was just starting to find his feet in the team with two goals in six matches.
Coach Arne Slot has been reluctant to give a timescale on the Sweden international's recovery.
But with the player progressing to work outside, Slot was able to be more confident in his assessment, although he was not sure whether he would be ready before March's international break.
"Alex has been on the pitch, not with his football boots but with his running shoes for the first time this week," he said.
"The next step is doing work with the ball, which every player likes most, then the next step is to come into the group and then it takes a while before you're ready to play.
"It will be some time around there, end of March, start of April, where he is hopefully back with the group. That is not to say you are ready to play, let alone start a game." Isak is one of five players currently sidelined, with only Jeremie Frimpong close to a return.
The right back has been out since the end of last month with a hamstring injury but is expected to be back for next weekend's visit of West Ham.
Slot and his players have had time off during a rare week without a match ahead of the trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, when the defending Premier League champions will hope to nudge closer to the top four.
He said the rest was very welcome for the squad but not as necessary for him.
"It is nice and useful as the players we are having, nine out of 10 go to the national team so for seven, eight, nine months they hardly have a time off," added Slot.
"I think the difference between players and managers is if players have a day off they are probably not thinking all the time about Forest but it is always nice to go home and see the family.
"It was nice but I did not really need it. Last season I felt I needed it more in this period of time. I am enjoying the work I do here."
Source: Qatar Tribune
