Raring to go: Steven Gerrard wants to play against Manchester City this weekend
Hero's return: Gerrard equalised from the penalty spot against Birmingham (above) last week but suffered after the game due to lack of fitness (below)
Nose sweat: David Ngog was hit by a ball in the face
Rafa Benitez has received a double boost with injured Liverpool pair Steven Gerrard and David Ngog tipped to return for Saturday's crunch clash with Manchester City.
Skipper Gerrard has been hampered for several weeks with a groin injury and in the absence of their talisman Liverpool have suffered damaging defeats to Fulham in the Premier League and Lyon in the Champions League.
Ngog, meanwhile, suffered a broken nose on France Under 21 duty this week. His absence would have been another blow with star striker Fernando Torres already sidelined with a groin problem.
However, Benitez has today confirmed that both players should ready to face Champions League rivals City at Anfield.
He said: '"Gerrard is doing well. He finished a full training session today so,
if he can carry on, then he'll be okay. Fernando Torres is training with the physios so I don't think he'll be available.'
On Ngog, who was hit in the face with a ball during a training session, Benitez added: 'I think he will be okay.'
England midfielder Gerrard rescued a point by scoring a penalty against Birmingham on his return to first-team action last week, but he revealed he was far from fit.
Now, however, he is raring to go: 'I felt very tired after the game, as I wasn't really ready to return (against Birmingham) and I'd done very little training in the three weeks beforehand,' he said.
'It took me two or three days to recover from that game but I have spent the past week doing strengthening work and I'm feeling a lot better now. I'm looking forward to the weekend. There's no mental hurdle to cross.
'I've had a problem in my groin that has taken a while to get over but I'm just relieved the second injection seems to have done the trick.
'It's a case of so far so good and the aim now is to make sure I get a good week's training under my belt so I'm ready for the game with City.'
Gerrard admits it has been frustrating to miss the key matches with Manchester United and Lyon, as well as clashes against Sunderland, Arsenal and Fulham during his spell on the sidelines - especially as the team have not fared well in his absence.
'Some of the lowest points in my career have come about when I have had to miss big games for Liverpool and England through injury.
'It's never easy when you have to sit out games against Manchester United or trips away from home in the Champions League.
'If the lads are winning games and doing well, it makes the pain a bit easier so obviously the last couple of weeks have been extra frustrating.
'But I'm feeling good now, a lot stronger than before and it's just a question of getting my match sharpness back now. That is the most important thing.'
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