Daniel Agger

The Liverpool defender Daniel Agger could make a surprise return against Middlesbrough tomorrow, five months after the metatarsal fracture that has plagued his season.

The Denmark international visited a specialist in Norway yesterday for a final assessment on an injury that was initially expected to keep him out for six weeks.

Finally, after several aborted comebacks, relapses in training and having had to wear reinforced boots since late last year, the 23-year-old has been given the green light.

Agger has been told he is fit to play this weekend but, given the length of his recovery and despite the lack of centre-halves available to Rafael Benítez tomorrow, the Liverpool manager is considering delaying his return until next Sunday's away match at Bolton Wanderers.

Jamie Carragher is suspended tomorrow, having collected his fifth domestic booking of the season against Barnsley, the £6.5m signing Martin Skrtel is struggling with a calf strain and the teenager Jack Hobbs is on loan at Scunthorpe United.

Álvaro Arbeloa could be deployed in the centre against Gareth Southgate's side should Benítez elect to ease Agger back, the Dane having last appeared for Liverpool in the goalless draw at Portsmouth on September 15.