While Houllier insists that the player is still has much work to do before he can fight for a place in the Liverpol side, he is quick to concede that Carragher's defensive stability has been sorely missed at Anfield.
Houllier said: "Carra started training on Monday. He can't wait to be involved. I told you at the time how much I thought of him and how we'd miss him.
"It will still be three or four weeks before he'll be in contention to play, but you never know with Carra. He always surpasses your expectations because he was not meant to be back in training before January.
"He'll be following a special training programme now. If you listen to Carra, he'll tell you he'll be fit for the FA Cup tie with Yeovil! But he needs another month's training."