Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Liverpool midfielder set to feature for Under-23s against Derby as recovery from knee injury continues

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Liverpool midfielder set to feature for Under-23s against Derby as recovery from knee injury continues
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains road to recovery has taken another step as he will feature for Liverpools Under-23s today (Friday).The 25-year-old has been sidelined since last April after suffering knee ligament damage, just as he established himself as one of the key players under Jurgen Klopp.2

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is stepping up his recovery

Oxlade-Chamberlain will play for the Under-23s against Derby as he looks to build up his match fitness.He could have played earlier in the week against Evertons Under-23s but manager Klopp did not want to risk him in what was likely to be a feisty encounter. Speaking in his press conference ahead of Liverpools clash with Burnley on Sunday, Klopp said: Ox is a very smart boy and it is clear that he needs some sessions to prepare himself for a game and he wanted these games as well.These games we will see for sure. It looks very positive but it was a long time he was out so we need to be sensible but we think the right time is now.

LIVE on talkSPORT

We bring you five more live football commentaries across the talkSPORT network throughout the remainder of the week. Find out what they are below...

• Sheffield United vs Rotherham (Saturday) talkSPORT 2
• Crystal Palace vs Brighton (Saturday) talkSPORT
• Manchester City vs Watford (Saturday) talkSPORT
• Liverpool vs Burnley (Sunday) talkSPORT
• Birmingham vs Aston Villa (Sunday) talkSPORT 2

Derby is a tough opponent. The previous game against Everton he could have played but I wasnt sure about the intensity but now he is ready and well let him start.We are excited of course.2

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been out for almost 11 months

Oxlade-Chamberlain steps up his return from injury at a vital point of the season, with just nine Premier League matches remaining for the Reds to secure their first league championship since 1990.Liverpool are also still fighting on the European front, with a trip to Bayern Munich planned for next week in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16.

---

Arsenal transfer news: Gunners 'targeting' Atletico Madrid

---

Florentino Perez confirms Real Madrid's interest in Eden Hazard. The Belgian forward hinted on Monday that his side's Europa League final clash United target Ndombele refuses to rule out
Chelsea news and transfers live: Hazard shirt seen in Real

---

Everton are among a host of clubs reportedly interested in signing Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi after Spanish club Valencia cut short the Belgian's loan spell at the club. With Everton
Michy Batshuayi's Valencia loan contract terminated with

---

Find this seasons transfers in and out of West Ham, the latest transfer rumours for the summer 2019 transfer window and how the news sources rate in terms of rumour accuracy for West Ham FC.
Fabianski, Diop, Anderson, Nasri - West Ham - football.london

---

on the move? The France midfielder has refused to rule out leaving Lyon this summer after his failed switch to Anfield last year Nabil Fekir has admitted he has no idea if he will stay at Lyon this summer after almost completing a transfer to Liverpool last year.
Nabil Fekir opens door to summer transfer after botched

---

Joe Gomez returned from his injury lay-off in Liverpool's FA Cup third-round tie with Plymouth on 8 January Liverpool's Joe Gomez has signed a new "long-term" contract after returning from a 15
Joe Gomez signs new Liverpool long-term contract

---

Championship: How many minutes have the likes of Leeds United and Aston Villa given to youngsters this season? The likes of Reece James and Mason Mount have benefited hugely from more game time
Championship: How many minutes have the likes of Leeds United

---

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reveals why he knew he would score his penalty against Man United. The Gunners secured a huge boost to their top-four ambitions by defeating Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Alexandre Lacazette is denied goal against Man United by

---

Jose Mourinho hits back at Scholes after failed Oldham role: 'You have it or you don't' Jose Mourinho has fired back at Paul Scholes after the Manchester United icon's unsuccessful spell at
Jose Mourinho Lashes out at United Legends Paul Scholes and

---

Exciting youngster Christian Pulisic joined at the beginning of the window for £58million, but was immediately loaned back to Borussia Dortmund, but Blues fans will get to see him when he arrives in the summer and he could add a new dimension and spark into Chelsea, who have been overly reliant on Eden Hazard for far too long.

---

Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham have laid the foundations to succeed despite dropping off Premier League title pace. Mauricio Pochettino believes his Spurs team are developing a winning
England claim T20 series win after embarrassing West Indies

---