Gerrard is confident of being in the XI for the visit of Manchester City to Anfield, having not begun a contest since the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on October 4.

Rafael Benitez's team have already lost five times in the league this season but Gerrard is ready to reignite their top-four challenge against one of their major rivals - with top scorer Fernando Torres unlikely to be fit.

"If the lads are winning games and doing well, it makes the pain a bit easier so obviously the last couple of weeks have been extra frustrating," said Gerrard, who came on as a substitute in the 2-2 draw with Birmingham 10 days ago.

He had been completely absent for the previous six matches - including the double-header against Lyon which has left progression in the Champions League hanging by a thread.

In contrast to the Reds, City have lost only once in 11 outings but lie just a point and a place ahead of their hosts with a game in hand.

Leaders Chelsea will be confident of a seventh straight league win this season at Stamford Bridge, where they have not even conceded a goal for more than eight and a half hours.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Hunt registered the only away goal at the Bridge, for Hull on the opening day, which puts into context the prospect facing struggling Wolves.

Champions Manchester United and fellow title challengers Arsenal face more tricky fixtures, as the league resumes following an international break, with Everton visiting Old Trafford and the injury-hit Gunners at Sunderland.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be in the dugout after the Football Association confirmed his touchline ban does not start until 14 days after last week's disciplinary panel hearing.

Burnley attempt a sixth home win since promotion against fifth-placed Aston Villa while victory for the away team in the battle of the clarets would see Villa move into the top four at the expense of Tottenham for 24 hours at least.

Spurs take on Wigan at White Hart Lane, one of three Sunday fixtures, which also include Sam Allardyce's return to the Reebok Stadium with Blackburn.

Allardyce, who spent eight years in charge of Bolton, tasted victory on his last trip there - his first league game in charge of Newcastle.

Bottom-club Portsmouth complete the top-flight fixtures with a 4pm contest at Stoke.

By kick-off, their plight could be worse with Hull and West Ham contesting an early-season 'six-pointer' and Birmingham, another of the strugglers, taking on Fulham 24 hours earlier.