Liverpool FC are sweating on the fitness of £32.5 million striker Christian Benteke ahead of their showdown with Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, but Daniel Sturridge will be involved.
The Belgian was absent from training on Friday having been struggling with a hamstring injury sustained against Norwich City last month.
He was kept out of the 3-2 victory over his former employers Aston Villa last weekend as Sturridge scored a sensational second-half brace in his absence, but Brendan Rodgers' staff will keep a close eye on his condition prior to the trip across Stanley Park.
Benteke to be assessed late on before derby
The Northern Irishman told reporters that there is "no real change" to the squad going into the Merseyside derby, despite "one or two knocks" in Thursday's draw with FC Sion in the Europa League group stages.
He said that they are "seeing how" Benteke fares over the course of Saturday but otherwise, the squad will be "pretty much the same" as the one which overcame Villa.
With Benteke more than likely to be absent, Danny Ings could take his place up-front - whilst vice-captain James Milner and defender Nathaniel Clyne could get their first tastes of the Merseyside rivalry.
The fit-again Sturridge is also expected to start after being spared for the mid-week European clash and Rodgers said the Reds must carefully manage the striker's fitness across the next few weeks and months.
He pointed to the fact that the English frontman, who has not been called up for international duty, has been out for a "real long time" and said with the work and effort he has put in, Liverpool need to "look after him" with such a busy fixture schedule ahead of them.
The Reds boss also revealed that the "fresh and fit" Sturridge is still looking "to get to full match fitness" but vowed that he will soon be up to speed in order to be "available to play in all of the games."
No worries over lack of local influence, says Rodgers
Sunday's encounter will be the first time since the 1986 FA Cup final between the two teams that Liverpool play against Everton without a local lad in their line-up, and though Rodgers said full-back Jon Flanagan would be involved if he was fit, he has no doubt that his side will respect the task at hand.
He said it is "unfortunate" they don't have any starting Scousers for the visit to Goodison, though 18-year-old midfielder Jordan Rossiter could be in the squad, adding that Flanagan "would be playing" if fit - but also said that they go there "with confidence" and have several players capable of being the star.