Reds to check on Gerrard

Kenny Dalglish today reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of the Boxing Day visit of Blackburn Rovers and confirmed Liverpool will check on the fitness of Steven Gerrard ahead of the clash.

The Reds skipper is closing in on a first-team comeback having returned to training following an ankle infection.

Dalglish told his pre-match press conference: "He is training, so as we've said before we'll always monitor his progress and make sure we've done the right things.

"Everything he's done he's done very well. He's been training, but whether that means he's ready or not, we'll have to wait and see."

Liverpool's squad will be bolstered by the return of Jay Spearing from suspension.

Dalglish added: "We're fine. We never picked up any knocks the other night (at Wigan). Jay's suspension is over, so we've added to the squad rather than taken away from it."