The England international has made a quicker recovery than expected since suffering an ankle injury in September and is an option for Brendan Rodgers as his side face the Magpies

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson is back in training at Melwood after being kept out of the first team for six weeks through injury and could make his return against Newcastle on Saturday.

The England international limped off of the field with an ankle injury during the Reds’ 1-0 victory over Manchester United in early September and, although it was feared that the 29-year-old right-back would be kept out of action for 10 weeks, he has progressed quickly.

“Glen is the type of player you don’t realise what you’re missing until he’s not in the team,” manager Brendan Rodgers told reporters on Thursday.

“He was outstanding against Manchester United so it will be great when we get him back. He’s got the cast off his foot now and he’s working hard to be back in the next few weeks.”

The Northern Irishman has had to adapt to the defender’s absence, often reverting to a back three of Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho.

Rodgers’s side currently sit second in the Premier League, with only Arsenal above them on goal difference.