Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has said that the club needs to be patient over Steven Gerrard's return from injury.
The skipper has recently made two appearances from the substitutes' bench following two months out with an ankle infection.
"Stevie is improving his level of fitness all the time but we have to be very careful as to how he prepares," Dalglish told reporters.
"It would be wrong of us to be negligent and throw him in and undo all the good work he has done so far.
"We would love to have him back fit and well but we just have to be a bit patient."
The Reds host Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup third round on Friday evening.
