Gerrard, who has been absent since mid-March, admits he is desperate to get back on the pitch and has full confidence that the troublesome groin is now completely fixed and "as strong as ever".

The 31-year-old, who has only played six games for the Reds since Kenny Dalglish returned as manager, is now looking to see how things go as he takes part in full training and during a practice match that is being scheduled, but he hopes to be back in first-team action in the near future.

He said on Liverpool's official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: "I feel really good and I'm back kicking balls again - it's all positive.

"I should be back in full training with the team on Thursday or Friday of next week.

"I won't be involved against Stoke next Saturday but my plan is to hopefully be involved in the game against Tottenham. It will be Kenny's decision when I come back in."

Liverpool play Spurs at White Hart Lane on September 18.

Gerrard added: "At the moment it's all good and I'm itching to get back. In fact it's worse than itching, my stomach is turning.

"It's been a tough five months for me since I had the surgery. It's been up and down emotionally and I've missed playing so much.

"I've had a good rest, I'm fired up and I'm raring to go again. I know I'm going to come back fitter, stronger and hungrier than ever."

Gerrard had initially been expected to be back for the start of the new campaign but he suffered a setback in July when he was admitted to hospital with an infection related to the groin injury.

He said: "Since coming out of hospital my rehab has gone really well. I'm really happy and positive again. My groin is as strong as it's ever been.

"My groin is tested when I'm working and the physios collect data. My groin scores now are better than before I even started feeling my groin.

"What I've done over the past four weeks tells me that's the case and I've got total confidence in it."