Cole set to return for Liverpool's match at Tottenham on Sunday - 7M sport

Cole set to return for Liverpool's match at Tottenham on Sunday



I have a say

Posted Monday, November 22, 2010 by Mirrorfootbal

Cole set to return for Liverpool's match at Tottenham on Sunday

Defender Glen Johnson is surprised Liverpool are within touching distance of the top four after such a poor start to the season.

Having endured their worst start to a campaign since 1953/54 with six points from the opening eight matches the Reds have now accrued 13 from their last six - a record bettered only by Manchester United over the same half-a-dozen games.

They are now only three points off fifth place and six behind Manchester City, who occupy the final Champions League qualification position.

There is still plenty of ground to be covered before the squad can think about moving back into the top four but Saturday's comfortable 3-0 win over bottom side West Ham has boosted confidence.

"We are still quite close to the top and if we can build on this performance then I'm sure we can be close to where we want to be," said Johnson.

"It surprises me that this win has taken us to within sight of fourth place.

"Considering some of the points we have dropped, you'd have thought we would be out of it already, to be honest, but we're in there.

"Everyone's beating everyone at the moment and the league's really open.

"That means if we can put a run together we can get up there where we aim to be."

Just over a week ago a four-match unbeaten league run - which had lifted the club out of the unfamiliar surroundings of the relegation zone - was ended in dismal fashion at Stoke.

Johnson is hoping the club can now put together another strong sequence of results.

"The West Ham win was an important result because we can start again looking for another unbeaten run like that last one," said the England international, who marked his return from a three-match injury-enforced absence with the opening goal on Saturday.

"We are looking to go on another run, to build on this victory again, and we showed good form out there, especially in the first half.

"We believe that if we can put another run together we can be back up there challenging for the top four places.

"Every team has been dropping points where you wouldn't expect them to.

"That shows how competitive the league is, but it has given us a chance to still challenge, despite some of our results."

Midfielder Joe Cole is set for a comeback in the weekend's Barclays Premier League fixture at Tottenham after missing the last five matches with a hamstring injury.

"Joe should be back for Sunday," said manager Roy Hodgson.

"We were hoping he would be back to face West Ham, but it has taken that little bit longer.

"Joe is not that far away really, so hopefully he will have recovered in time for Tottenham.

"Hamstring injuries are tricky and I'm afraid we can only rely on what the sports science people tell us, and if they say he needs more time we just have to wait."

Spanish youngster Suso has signed his first professional contract - an initial three-year deal - after turning 17 on Friday.

The teenager, who moved to Merseyside from Cadiz in the summer of 2009, made a brief appearance in the first team's pre-season friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach in August and also played in Jamie Carragher's testimonial at Anfield two months ago.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.