Kelly hoping for Europa action

Martin Kelly is hoping to put his injury nightmare behind him and stake a claim for a regular place in the first-team squad - starting in tonight's Europa League last 16 clash with French outfit Lille.

After a man-of the-match performance against Lyon in the Champions League at Anfield last October, the Reds No.34 was forced to spend the next three months on the sidelines due to an ankle problem.

However, having made a full recovery from the injury, Kelly is now eager to help the Reds in their quest for European glory.

"The ankle feels fine now and it's good to be fit again and train without any problems," Kelly told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Hopefully the injury is behind me now and I can push on.

"I was pleased with my performance against Lyon and thought I did well, so hopefully I can push on and play more games and prove myself.

"The injury came at a bad time for me because I could have got more chances, but that's football and you've got to get over your injuries and come back stronger."

His ankle injury occurred when attempting to clear the ball of the line during the 2-1 defeat to Lyon.

"I tried to clear the ball off the line and ended up twisting my ankle," he explained.

"I tore the ligament and it was tough to come back from because every time I tried to return to training from rehab, I would get another knock on the ankle.

"I have spent a lot of time in the gym making the ankle strong again and I've been working with the fitness coaches. It feels a lot stronger now and I'm feeling good."

Kelly is in the squad for the last 16 first leg clash in Lille and he is hoping the Reds can put Monday's Wigan disappointment behind them and get a positive result in France.

"We need to forget about Wigan now and hopefully we can get a good result to take into the second leg," he said.

"We know we have the quality and we will try our best to get a good result."

The Ligue 1 club have lost just one of their last 16 European games on home soil and Kelly knows how crucial an away goal could be for the Reds.

He said: "An away goal is always crucial in every competition, and with the second leg at Anfield we know it would give us a real boost."

Kelly featured as a substitute during the Europa League last 32, second leg against Unirea Urziceni and added: "It was good to be back playing again.

"When I came on there wasn't a lot of pressure on myself because we were in control of the game, so it was good to play with the first-team again and I really enjoyed it.

"I just need to keep working hard and be ready if the manager needs me. Hopefully we can score three goals in the first half and I can get a run-out in the second half."

Video - Kelly: Good to be back>>