Cole has not featured since playing at Bolton in October

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole is being lined up to play in Sunday's clash at Tottenham after missing the last five matches with a hamstring injury.

"We hoped he would be back to face West Ham, but it has taken that little bit longer," manager Roy Hodgson said.

"Joe is not that far away really, so hopefully he will have recovered in time for Tottenham."

Cole has been sidelined for a month after picking up the injury in the 1-0 win at Bolton at the end of October.

The 29-year-old England midfielder was forced to sit out of the Anfield clash against his former club Chelsea, a game the Reds won 2-0.

During Cole's recuperation period, Liverpool have also beaten Napoli in the Europa League and drawn with Wigan, lost at Stoke and eased past West Ham in the Premier League.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Joe Cole's return

With Liverpool edging slowly away from the relegation zone - they currently lie in ninth spot - Hodgson remained cautious about rushing Cole back to action.

"Hamstring injuries are tricky and I'm afraid we can only rely on what the sports science people tell us, and if they say he needs more time we just have to wait," he added about the player who has scored once in 13 appearances since a summer move from Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool travel to White Hart Lane on Sunday to face a buoyant Spurs, who beat Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates at the weekend to move to within three points of the top four.

Meanwhile Anfield striker Suso has secured his first professional deal - an initial three-year contract - after celebrating his 17th birthday on Friday.

The Spaniard moved to Merseyside from Cadiz in the summer of 2009 and appeared in the first team's pre-season friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach in August.

Suso also played in Jamie Carragher's testimonial at Anfield in September.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version