Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has revealed that Conor Bradley is closing in on a return to training after spending most of the year on the sidelines.
The right-back has not featured since he suffered a serious knee injury in January, leaving the Reds short of another option in a position that has presented problems.
Iraola has now confirmed that Bradley is making good progress, although the Liverpool boss has stopped short of putting a timeframe on his return to action.
Conor Bradley during a training session at AXA Training Centre. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“They are both doing very well,” Iraola said in his pre-game press conference on Thursday, referring to Bradley and Hugo Ekitike. “I think they are in a good place. Conor is not so far from training with the group – not like full training but doing some things with the group.”
France international Ekitike, who ruptured his Achilles tendon back in April, is slightly further behind but remains on track with his recovery programme.
Iraola added that it remains difficult to predict when either player will return, given the length of their respective absences.
The Reds are also expected to have young defender Giovanni Leoni, who suffered an ACL injury on his Liverpool debut after joining from Parma last summer, return to training during the next international break.
