Photo: AFC Bournemouth / CC BY 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has given a fitness update on five sidelined players, confirming Stefan Bajcetic and Wataru Endo are close to rejoining group training during the club's pre-season tour of the United States.
Iraola spoke to media in Chicago on Tuesday after Liverpool began their pre-season trip to the USA.
"Yes, right now, we have different situations in terms of injuries," Iraola said. "Stefan and Wataru are close to training with the group. They will start during this tour, training not fully maybe but partially with the group."
Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are each in longer-term recovery. Iraola described their setbacks as "big, big injuries" requiring months of rehabilitation.
"With the others, we have to wait more," Iraola said. "In terms of order, I think the closest one to returning is Leoni. After will be Conor and Hugo. But especially the last two are still way off — we are talking about months and still a lot of time out."
Leoni is therefore the nearest of the three long-term absentees to a return, with Bradley and Ekitike both facing extended spells on the sidelines.