PHILIPPE COUTINHO is eyeing England at Wembley next Tuesday for his comeback.
The Brazil superstar last played in Liverpool's 4-1 thumping against Tottenham on October 22 - at the same venue.
His national team doctors expect the playmaker to miss Friday's game with Japan but return for the prestige friendly against Gareth Southgate's youthful Three Lions. Ddoc Rodrigo Lasmar told Globo Esporte: "Coutinho had a muscle injury in the adductor of the left thigh.
"He is in the final phase of recovery.
"We knew that he would not be fully fit, but we chose to make his final recovery with us. "The possibility of him playing against Japan is remote, but we work to make sure he's available against England.
"He may not be able to participate [against Japan]. If he can, he could stay on the bench and play for a few minutes. "But it's a small chance. Our focus is to get him back for the second game."
The injury is just the latest saga this season for Barcelona target Coutinho.
The 25-year-old has been trying to knuckle down at Anfield after the frustration of missing a £130million-plus move to the Nou Camp. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has praised Coutinho's attitude since that deadline-day disappointment.
And Klopp will again fight to keep the former Inter midfielder in the January transfer window.
From The Sun
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