Sakho and Johnson Could Return Against Stoke City

It looks like Liverpool’s injury crisis is starting to ease somewhat; although the club are still waiting for the results of Daniel Agger’s calf scan after the big Dane pulled up against Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup on Sunday, reports coming out this morning have Mamadou Sakho on the mend and Glen Johnson ready to return when Liverpool visit Stoke City this weekend.

The French international, who ended the Reds 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge with a hamstring problem, is back at Melwood this week and, according to the Liverpool Echo, working closely with the medical team. Sakho has played a key role in Brendan Rodgers revolving door backline since arriving on Merseyside in a big money move from PSG on transfer deadline day and there were fears that he could be out for up to six weeks with the problem, but the worry has all but been put to bed with his speedy return to the training ground.

Although it seems a bit unlikely that the 23-year old will be in contention for this weekend’s trip to the Britannia Stadium, if not, Kolo Toure will surely be in line to deputize for the injured Frenchman. Martin Kelly, who filled in for Glen Johnson in Sunday’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Oldham Athletic, will probably find himself on the bench again with the England international expected to return for the trip to the Potteries.

The 29-year old fullback picked up a slight ankle knock in the Reds win over Hull City midweek and was rested at the weekend as a precaution. Johnson has been at the center of a bit of speculation in the last few days with contract talks taking a less than positive turn as the two sides continue to wrangle over an extension with Arsenal apparent suitors. This, of course, could fuel rumours that Barcelona fullback Martin Montoya is on his way to Anfield with the Spain u-21 player also experiencing contract extension malaise in Catalonia. We’ll see what happens in the coming days…