Liverpool Injury Update: Latest Team News Ahead of Reds' New Year's Day Clash Against Leicester City

Liverpool have been handed a boost ahead of their New Year's clash against Leicester City following news of Dejan Lovren returning back to training after spending around two weeks on the sidelines due to a groin injury.

The 25-year-old Croatian had sustained the injury during the Reds' victory over Bournemouth in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup on 17 December and has been out ever since.

Although he might not be featuring against the Foxes due to him only returning to training a couple of days earlier, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that he will be available for the Reds FA Cup tie against Wimbledon on 5 January.

"Dejan has only been back training in the last couple of days. We'll see how he is today and then we'll take it from there," the Northern Irishman told Liverpool's official website. "If he's not [fit] for tomorrow, then definitely for the FA Cup game [against Wimbledon]."

Rodgers, however, may be forced to play Lovren against the Foxes as Martin Skrtel is set to miss the Reds' first 2015 fixture due to suspension (after collecting five booking in the Premier League).

Brad Jones is still recovering from a thigh injury, meaning Simon Mignolet will be again started for Liverpool in front of goal.

Joe Allen, Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan will also be missing this game as they are still recovering from knee, groin and knee injuries respectively.

Meanwhile, Rodgers threw some light on the progress of English striker Daniel Sturridge, who is currently undergoing a special rehabilitation programme in Boston.

The 25-year-old has been out of action since early September, after picking up a thigh strain while training with the English national team.

The former Chelsea striker was expected to make a comeback on 16 October, but he got ruled out for a further three weeks after suffering another setback during a training session at Melwood Park.

Sturridge was then expected to return to action during Liverpool's clash against Crystal Palace on 23 November, but he has been sidelined again until early 2015 due to a tear in his thigh muscle.

After that Liverpool sent the striker to a rehabilitation centre in Boston, where he is currently recovering.

And now Rodgers, who revealed that Sturridge will be coming back to England in the next week or so, finally expects the striker to be back in action later this month.

"He's coming back into the country in early January to finalise his rehab here," added Rodgers. "Hopefully at some point in January - the middle to end - he'll be available to play."