Liverpool striker Iago Asaps has been out injured since mid-October with a thigh injury but he has assured us that he is close to full fitness and ready to challenge for a place in the Liverpool side when he returns.
Asaps said on Liverpoolfc.com, “I have been injured for four weeks, but I have been training for four or five days on the pitch – running and exercising. I am a lot better.
“Soon I will be able to kick the ball. In 10 days to two weeks I will be ready to play.”
So Aspas is still at least two weeks away from full fitness. He has not been missed much as Daniel Sturridge and Luis Saurez have been doing the business for the Reds with each already scoring 8 league goals this season.
Asaps arrived from Celta Vigo in the summer and impressed during pre-season but struggled to make much of an impact when the season started as he was filling in for the suspended Luis Suarez. He made way for the Uruguay striker when his ban ended and that is when he picked up his thigh injury. So really, he has not had the best of starts to his Anfield career.
Hopefully when he returns he can turn out to be a decent backup for SAS. The 26-year old striker is determined to prove his worth. Aspas added, “Not playing is frustrating, but I can take advantage of this stoppage, and try to get back to playing as soon as possible.
“I think I can improve; I am happy with the team’s level but not so much individually because I think I can do a lot better.
“First I want to recover from my injury and afterwards I can use my qualities better and exploit them better as a centre-forward.”
In Aspas’ defence, when he played at the start of the season, he was deployed out wide by Brendan Rodgers which is not his favoured position. Now that Liverpool are playing with two strikers, this could give Aspas the opportunity to come in for Suarez or Sturridge when needed and play in his preferred central role.
Hope he gets well soon.