Liverpool midfielder Jordan Rossiter backed to recover from ankle injury

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Rossiter has been ruled out for the next two months after undergoing ankle surgery after picking up an injury during the FA Cup Youth Cup defeat to Birmingham City.

The 17-year-old marked his Reds debut with a goal in the League Cup penalty shoot-out win over Middlesbrough earlier in the season but has seen his progress curtailed due to his latest injury blow.

Not currently involved with the Liverpool first team under Brendan Rodgers, Rossiter has been operating in the club's academy under Alex Inglethorpe, who is confident the player will recover in good time.

"Knowing his character, as we all do at the Academy, it's something he will overcome in his typical and determined, single-minded way," he told the Liverpool official website.

"It's such a shame for Jordan because he was doing so well and it was quite an innocuous thing the way the injury happened. He went up for a header and landed very badly on his ankle and he has had to have surgery on that now.

"His character is outstanding and he has got one of the best mentalities I have ever worked with. I know it's difficult for him at the moment but he will come back stronger than ever.

"No doubt Jordan will try to make a quicker return than we expect and he'll probably be planning a comeback in the next two weeks knowing him, but he's determined and he's one of those lovely players you have to make sure you keep the reins on.

"He is in good hands with our physios Andy Renshaw and Richie Partridge, who are outstanding at what they do, and he's in great care."

Rossiter became Liverpool's youngster ever goalscorer when he netted the opener against Middlesbrough in September, sliding home from range after Jamal Blackman's mistake and the protégé came out on the winning side as Rodgers' team progressed 14-13 on penalties.