Lucas back at Reds after surgery

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has returned to the club to continue his rehabilitation from a season-ending knee injury.

The 25-year-old has spent the past six weeks in his native Brazil, where he underwent surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament damage suffered in the Reds' Carling Cup quarter-final win at Chelsea in November.

Lucas, who is walking with the aid of crutches, will still miss the remainder of the campaign but believes his recovery is on course, and told the club's website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: "I am still a long way away, but the knee is getting better and the rehab is going well."

Copyright (c) PA Sport 2012, All Rights Reserved.