Jon Flanagan has revealed he is nearing a return from the knee injury that has kept him out of action since the summer of 2014.
The full-back, who made his England debut against Ecuador in June 2014, suffered a build-up of fluid around the joint and has since had corrective surgery to alleviate the problem.
After suffering a couple of setbacks en route to recovery, the 22-year-old says he is back to full fitness and cannot wait to get his boots on again.
"I'm very close – I've been doing light bits of training with the squad," he told LiverpoolFC.com.
Jon Flanagan celebrates after scoring his first goal for Liverpool as they beat Spurs in December 2013
"As of Friday, I'm back in full training with the squad, so it's good. I'm delighted.
“I'm 100 per cent now and it is exciting times. I'm back in training with the lads and feeling great.
"I can't rush it. I've got to bide my time – I'm obviously not match fit so I've just got to keep going and it will all come together nicely I think."
As Liverpool pressed Manchester City to within two points of the Premier League title, Flanagan enjoyed a wonderful season during the 2013-14 campaign.
During his 26 first-team appearances he made the right-back berth his own.
His form caught the attention of the England manager Roy Hodgson, who included him in his provisional squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
He was not selected among the final 23 to continue from Florida to Brazil, and returned home, where his troubles began.
And following the injury Flanagan acknowledges that he will have to start again as he looks to get back into the first-team squads for club and country.
“I'm 100 per cent now and it is exciting times. I'm back in training with the lads and feeling great”
Jon Flanagan
"It has been frustrating," he continued. "I had a problem with my knee and thought I would be back a lot quicker than I have been.
"Everyone had a great year last year and we were unlucky in the league. For me personally it was a great season, to be in the squad.
"I wanted to kick on this year, but unfortunately with the injury I haven't. I would say it is the most frustrating season I have had to date.
"I have had a few setbacks along the way but my knee is fine now and hopefully I can just push on."
Flanagan also revealed he has taken inspiration from another England international who has also spent a lot of time in the treatment room at Melwood with him –Daniel Sturridge.
"To see that he has been out that long, it has been frustrating for him as well, then to come back and score and be successful and everything OK with his injury, makes me look and want to hopefully do that as well," he added.
"We have done rehab together. He is back now and fully fit. He keeps telling me to keep going and that I'll get there. He is always giving me advice and help."
