It's been a tough last year for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Liverpool midfielder was so impressive after he broke into the first eleven last season.

But in a game against Roma last April he damaged cruciate and medial knee ligaments, plus the tendons to his hamstring.

That was expected to put him out for a long time, with some predicting he could well miss the whole of the 2018/19 season.

However, Oxlade-Chamberlain has recovered well.

The Englishman was spotted with the Liverpool's first-team during their warm weather training in Marbella last month.

And last week Jurgen Klopp confirmed that he is nearing a return.

“Ox is doing 70% of team training," he said, per the Liverpool Echo. “He trains fully but not as much as the others. Then he leaves a bit early to do something else and the things he needs.

“Everyone is always looking for a reaction but nothing has happened yet. We have to prepare him for his entire career, not just one particular game. When he's in training it looks very nice.”

And it appears Oxlade-Chamberlain's recovery is nearly complete.

According to the Mirror, the former Arsenal player is set to return to action later this week.

The England star has been given the all clear to resume playing again following an exhaustive rehabilitation programme and will return for Liverpool U23s match against Derby on Friday.

He was even considered to play in the 'mini-derby' between Everton and Liverpool tonight, but it was eventually decided that playing Oxlade-Chamberlain was not worth the risk.

Still, that's great news for Liverpool.

The club have been in a rough patch recently as they have dropped to second in the league.

Many have criticised Liverpool's creativity in midfield, but Oxlade-Chamberlain could well be the answer.

On Match of the Day 2 on Sunday night Jermaine Jenas even commented that Liverpool have missed his presence.

But it looks like he's going to return to first team action in the coming weeks, which will be a huge boost for their title hopes.