The summer free signing from Chelsea was expected to make a big impact at Anfield but so far it has not materialised.

A three-match ban after being sent off in the opening match against Arsenal and a penalty miss in the Europa League four days later was not an auspicious start.

A pulled hamstring at Bolton on October 31 then kept him out for five weeks, with Cole only making his comeback in last night's 1-1 draw against Steaua Bucharest which qualified Liverpool for the last 32 in the Europa League.

During his time on the sidelines manager Roy Hodgson said he felt the England international had confidence issues, saying: "Joe is not a naturally confident character. He suffers when things are not going his way."

However, the 29-year-old dismissed concerns about his state of mind, believing that a consistent run of games will soon bring the best out of him.

"No, not at all," was his response when asked whether his confidence had taken a knock.

"I am happy with everything at Liverpool, I just have to stay fit and keep playing well.

"No footballer likes being injured, it is a pain, but you have to keep going and keep working hard.

"I got through 75 minutes last night having only trained once so I'm happy with the way things have gone.

"It was nice to come back and be out there. I just need to kick on and keep myself fit, that is the main thing.

"If I can do that and get games I'll be very happy as I'll be able to stay on the pitch and help the team to win something."

Fellow summer free signing Milan Jovanovic has suffered similar teething trouble since his arrival at Anfield from Standard Liege.

The Serbia international has made only seven Barclays Premier League appearances - and just four starts - as Hodgson has restricted him mainly to outings with a second string in Europe.

That has resulted in the 29-year-old being linked with a swift return to his former club in Belgium but, judging by his celebration after scoring in Bucharest, he is determined to fight it out at Liverpool.

"I was really satisfied with the goal and it was very important for us," he said.

"I was really happy to get the chance to play and I really hope to play more games now.

"It's difficult to speak about not playing but the fact is I have a three-year contract here. I'm patient."

Another being patient is young defender Danny Wilson, signed in the summer from Rangers, who played only his second senior match in Romania - the first being the Carling Cup defeat at home to Northampton.

The Scotland international, 19 at the end of the month, has been brought in as one for the future but with centre-back currently the latest area of concern for Hodgson he may find he gets his chances sooner than expected.

With Jamie Carragher undergoing surgery on a dislocated shoulder today which will keep him out for three months and Daniel Agger's indeterminate return date from a calf problem, the first team have been left with just two senior central defenders in Martin Skrtel and Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

Wilson partnered the latter against Steaua and hopes the experience will not be his last for a while.

"It was good. Soto is a big, strong, great defender and I think we complemented each other quite well," he said.

"I can still learn as I am only 18 and that is what I need to do.

"I know it is difficult to get into the team but I am up for the challenge.

"Hopefully I showed what I can do and the manager can stick with me if he likes me, but if not I can start working a bit harder and be there or thereabouts."

The summer free signing from Chelsea was expected to make a big impact at Anfield but so far it has not materialised.

A three-match ban after being sent off in the opening match against Arsenal and a penalty miss in the Europa League four days later was not an auspicious start.

A pulled hamstring at Bolton on October 31 then kept him out for five weeks, with Cole only making his comeback in last night's 1-1 draw against Steaua Bucharest which qualified Liverpool for the last 32 in the Europa League.

During his time on the sidelines manager Roy Hodgson said he felt the England international had confidence issues, saying: "Joe is not a naturally confident character. He suffers when things are not going his way."

However, the 29-year-old dismissed concerns about his state of mind, believing that a consistent run of games will soon bring the best out of him.

"No, not at all," was his response when asked whether his confidence had taken a knock.

"I am happy with everything at Liverpool, I just have to stay fit and keep playing well.

"No footballer likes being injured, it is a pain, but you have to keep going and keep working hard.

"I got through 75 minutes last night having only trained once so I'm happy with the way things have gone.

"It was nice to come back and be out there. I just need to kick on and keep myself fit, that is the main thing.

"If I can do that and get games I'll be very happy as I'll be able to stay on the pitch and help the team to win something."

Fellow summer free signing Milan Jovanovic has suffered similar teething trouble since his arrival at Anfield from Standard Liege.

The Serbia international has made only seven Barclays Premier League appearances - and just four starts - as Hodgson has restricted him mainly to outings with a second string in Europe.

That has resulted in the 29-year-old being linked with a swift return to his former club in Belgium but, judging by his celebration after scoring in Bucharest, he is determined to fight it out at Liverpool.

"I was really satisfied with the goal and it was very important for us," he said.

"I was really happy to get the chance to play and I really hope to play more games now.

"It's difficult to speak about not playing but the fact is I have a three-year contract here. I'm patient."

Another being patient is young defender Danny Wilson, signed in the summer from Rangers, who played only his second senior match in Romania - the first being the Carling Cup defeat at home to Northampton.

The Scotland international, 19 at the end of the month, has been brought in as one for the future but with centre-back currently the latest area of concern for Hodgson he may find he gets his chances sooner than expected.

With Jamie Carragher undergoing surgery on a dislocated shoulder today which will keep him out for three months and Daniel Agger's indeterminate return date from a calf problem, the first team have been left with just two senior central defenders in Martin Skrtel and Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

Wilson partnered the latter against Steaua and hopes the experience will not be his last for a while.

"It was good. Soto is a big, strong, great defender and I think we complemented each other quite well," he said.

"I can still learn as I am only 18 and that is what I need to do.

"I know it is difficult to get into the team but I am up for the challenge.

"Hopefully I showed what I can do and the manager can stick with me if he likes me, but if not I can start working a bit harder and be there or thereabouts."