Steven Gerrard (pictured; 126.16 points FTBL Rating) and Daniel Agger are set to be returned to the Liverpool side at Blackpool on Boxing Day.

Influential club captain Gerrard has been sidelined since picking up a hamstring problem on international duty with England in November.

His return to the side will be most welcome, with Liverpool still searching for the consistency required to be top-four contenders.

The presence of Agger also offers a timely boost, with the Danish centre-half having been out of action since 25th September.

Both men will be hoping to play some part at Bloomfield Road on Sunday, providing the game beats the weather, and Reds boss Roy Hodgson is delighted to have them back.

He told the club's official website: "Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger are fit.

"It's a big boost going into five games in 15 days, which is a season-changing period for every club in the Premier League.

"Steven would have been fit to have played against Fulham (last Saturday) as well, so it doesn't hurt to give him an extra week so he can get some more training in.

"But what he needs now is to play matches and unfortunately the chance to play a match was missed because of our game against Fulham falling victim to the weather."

With Gerrard and Agger back in contention, Jay Spearing and Jamie Carragher will be the only notable absentees at Blackpool.

Hodgson added: "There are only two players unavailable to me. Jay Spearing, who suffered a break in a bone above his ankle, is still out for another month I think.

"Jamie Carragher is, if we are to believe the doctors, still nine weeks away from coming back. But knowing Jamie, it would not surprise me if it was a lot less than nine weeks."

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