Jurgen Klopp confirms Emre Can's availability for Derby County clash

Emre Can is set to return to the Liverpool squad for their clash against Derby County in the League Cup after recovering sufficiently from an ankle injury sustained during their EFL Cup second round win over Burton Albion in August. Jurgen Klopp has confirmed the midfielder's availability during his pre-match briefing on Monday.

The German midfielder had returned to training ahead of the Reds' clash against Chelsea on 16 September, which they won 2-1, but Can was not deemed to be fit enough to make the squad as he was still training apart from the rest of the team. He has since returned to full training, but the manager is not sure if he will be involved from the start when they take on the Rams on Tuesday (20 September).

"Emre's in training and when he's in training then he's available," Klopp said, as quoted on Liverpool's official site.

"He was last week in training but we took him to the side to do some specific work because he didn't have a proper pre-season, and now with injuries then he's not been available for three or four weeks. It [the game at Burton] was not yesterday, that's for sure.

"He's available and now he can collect match time. How much, if he starts or not [against Derby] - no decision until now," the German coach added.

The former Borussia Dortmund coach has also guaranteed that Danny Ings will be given a chance to nail down a place in the first-team and praised the striker's hard work in training. The England international is yet to make an appearance with the senior team this season, but has made two appearances for the Reds U23 side scoring in both the games.

The 24-year-old continues to build fitness after spending the majority of last season out due to a cruciate ligament injury. However, he will have a difficult task as he is currently the fourth choice behind Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino in the pecking order.

"Danny is working hard and good, but the situation is like it is – we have a lot of strikers," Klopp said, as quoted on the club's official site.

"He is close... what can I say? He is a wonderful boy. It's not the easiest thing when a player works really hard and then he is not involved, so of course you want to give the player something back for the unrest.

"It is not always possible – but as soon as it is possible, I will pay back," the Reds boss added.