Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has praised Lucas Leiva for his ‘professionalism’ in his return from a lengthy injury layoff this season.
Lucas was sidelined for over a year with two serious injuries in succession and only made his comeback a few monthis ago.
“I’ve been delighted with Lucas,” said the Reds boss to the Liverpool Echo. “We were very wary of the fact he had had a serious knee injury last season, and then obviously another problem on top of that this season.
“It was important for the team to get him back, but it was important for him that we did so at the right pace and that we paced his recovery right.
“It is a big credit to him as a professional. He has worked so hard, and his attitude and his application has been first class. He deserves every praise for the way he has conducted himself.”
Despite the encouraging signs, however, Rodgers has warned that it could still take time before Reds fans see Lucas, the club’s Player of the Year in 2010/11, back to maximum fitness.
He said: “I still believe, having worked with these kind of injuries in the past, that it won’t be until the summer, and beyond even, that we see him back at full level.
“It will be great for him to get a full pre-season with the group under his belt, but you can see in recent games that his mobility and the speed of his game is getting better and better all the time.
“As I say, it is a credit to him. He’s been fantastic.”
Source: Liverpool Echo
