Hamann on a mission

The 29-year-old former Bayern Munich midfielder has been sidelined since pre-season after undergoing an operation on a troublesome ankle injury, but Gerard Houllier has revealed that the sorely-missed player is now fast-approaching full fitness.

Houllier said: "The good news is Dietmar Hamann is training well and hasn't felt a reaction. He may play for the reserves on Thursday."