Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp has been dealt a much-needed injury boost with Jordon Ibe and James Milner expected to be available for their trip to Manchester City.
The German has endured a frustrating first month at Anfield with injuries, but should welcome the English duo back into the fold after they came through training unscathed at Melwood on Monday.
Ibe picked up a minor knee problem in the Reds' 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace prior to the international break and was forced to drop out of England U21 duty as a result.
Milner, meanwhile, missed Klopp's first defeat as boss with a hamstring injury which kept him out of England's friendly defeat to Spain, in addition to their upcoming fixture with France at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.
But with several senior first-team figures finding to regain fitness, Ibe and Milner made a significant step in their recovery - returning to training five days before the crunch clash at the Etihad Stadium against league leaders City.
Eight Reds out through injury as misfortune cripples Klopp's options
Their returns sizably bolster the options available to Klopp, with Mamadou Sakho, Danny Ings, Joe Gomez, Jon Flanagan and Jordan Rossiter all certain to miss out - whilst Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge are yet to return to full training as they return from knocks.
19-year-old Ibe and vice-captain Milner will be monitored throughout the week to ensure they are fully fit come Saturday, but both are expected to be in the travelling party for the short journey along the M62.
The two will be joined by several of their international team-mates, including Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana, Martin Skrtel and Christian Benteke on Wednesday - when they are due to return to Merseyside, and Klopp will hope for no further injuries as he looks for a morale-boosting result in Manchester.
Kolo Toure could also be back for the trip to his former side, whilst captain Henderson and Sturridge are likely to return to training later this week - though their first games back are expected to come later in the month.