Quartet return for Liverpool

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is hopeful of having his squad bolstered by a number of players returning from injury for tomorrow’s clash at Stoke.

Centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who was excellent in recent weeks before tonsillitis forced him to miss the last two matches, has returned to training and his aerial presence may be required at the Britannia.

Joe Cole (hamstring) and Glen Johnson (groin) could make comebacks after sitting out the last three and two games respectively while Fabio Aurelio (Achilles) is fit again after a long absence.

Midfielder Raul Meireles will be assessed after being forced off at half-time with sickness against Wigan in midweek while back-up goalkeeper Brad Jones is set to take his place on the bench after a shoulder injury.

Provisional squad: Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky, Lucas, Gerrard, Meireles, Kuyt, Rodriguez, Torres, Jones, Johnson, Aurelio, Kelly, Poulsen, Spearing, Shelvey, Jovanovic, Cole, Ngog.