The 21-year-old was one of the Reds' stand-out performers in the first two months of Kenny Dalglish's second spell as manager at the club.

Kelly was immediately installed as right-back with Glen Johnson injured and when the England international did return it was on the left side of defence, such was the youngster's form.

Those performances began to attract the attention of England manager Fabio Capello, who is looking for options at right-back, but Kelly's progress was halted by a hamstring injury in late February and he did not play again in the remainder of the campaign.

However, the academy graduate was not forgotten by the national team boss, who was impressed by his display at Arsenal last month.

Kelly was named in Stuart Pearce's Under-21 squad for matches over the international break but had to withdraw after being forced off in the 3-1 win over Bolton with another hamstring problem.

The injury was not serious, though, and now the defender is keen to regain his fitness and first-team place to begin challenging for England contention again.

"We had a scan and it was good news - it was only a slight strain. I'll build up training this week," said Kelly of his injury.

"I was disappointed because obviously the England manager had talked about me but I know if I keep working hard my time will come."

Kelly considered playing through the pain against Wanderers but considering his recent history he erred on the side of caution.

"The first thing I thought was 'Can I carry on?'," he told liverpoolfc.tv.

"We tried a few exercises on the side but I don't think it was worth it.

"I could have maybe played on but [it was important to] get it right, with the history of hamstring trouble I had last season.

"I've done quite a lot of work over the last six months. Touch wood this will be the last.

"It's all part of football. You're going to get injuries. This is just a slight injury - no more than two weeks.

"It should be fine after that. Injuries won't trouble me. It's just an unlucky time in the game for me."

With much of the squad away on international duty Liverpool first-team coach Steve Clarke has had time to reflect on what he described as a "satisfying" unbeaten start to the season.

The Reds have shown patches of good play in all of their first three Barclays Premier League fixtures, signing off before the international break with that confident 3-1 win over Bolton.

At the same stage last season, under new manager Roy Hodgson and with Tom Hicks and George Gillett in the final throes of their tumultuous ownership, Liverpool had four points courtesy of a draw with Arsenal and a scratch 1-0 win over West Brom.

However, signs that Hodgson's reign was not going well were already evident and the situation worsened in September and early October.

Fast-forward 12 months and, after significant investment in the transfer market from new owners Fenway Sports Group and eight months under the influence of returning club icon Kenny Dalglish, the feeling around Anfield could not be more different.

Seven points have been secured as the Reds have also beaten Arsenal, while their opening-day performance at home to Sunderland began promisingly but ultimately faded and resulted in a draw.

"We're all reasonably satisfied with the start," said Clarke.

"Obviously we're two points missing from the perfect start but if you analyse the performances and how we've done, everybody should be quite happy.

"Each game individually has had pleasing aspects.

"It was important to go into the international break on the back of a good performance and win.

"We got that against Bolton, so that's probably been the most satisfying game so far."