Brendan Rodgers is expecting his squad to be bolstered by the return of several key first-team players from injury following the international break.

The manager is optimistic he'll be able to call on the services of Glen Johnson, Aly Cissokho and Joe Allen once the Reds' schedule resumes following next week's recess.

Johnson suffered a high ankle sprain during the 1-0 win over Manchester United at the start of September, while Cissokho and Allen have been sidelined since the Capital One Cup clash with Notts County on August 27 with ankle and hamstring problems respectively.

Liverpool are also without Philippe Coutinho until towards the end of October after he underwent shoulder surgery and Sebastian Coates is set to miss most of the season with a knee problem.

Providing an update on the fitness of his squad, Rodgers told reporters at Melwood: "Glen's out on the field and hopefully after the international break he'll be ready to come back into the squad.

"We're okay. Aly Cissokho has trained over the course of the last week or so, so I think after the international break he'll be fine and fit. Joe Allen likewise - he should be ready for the Newcastle game.

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"Glen Johnson and Coutinho will not be long after.

"Obviously Sebastian Coates will be that bit longer and has a bit more to do yet, but apart from that we're getting back to our numbers now."