Hodgson keeps Cole in mind for Stoke

Roy Hodgson will give Joe Cole every chance to prove his fitness ahead of tomorrow’s crucial trip to Stoke – as he tries to find a blend that will make Liverpool a potent travelling force again.

Cole has not played since pulling up with a hamstring problem during the 1-0 win at Bolton on October 31 and his rehabilitation has been held up by a bout of flu.

The England international has returned to training at Melwood this week and is pleasing the club's medical staff with the way he is coming along - but Cole will not be pitched until the club are satisfied he has fully recovered.

But Hodgson will still have to find a remedy for Liverpool's lack of success away from Anfield in 2010.

So far this calendar year, the Reds' only wins on the road have come at Burnley (4-0 in April) and Bolton and, as Hodgson accepts, they have to do better.

"We are back in work, back in training and determined to make sure the next game is a winning one," said Hodgson.

"I think there have been signs in games where things have not been as bad as people have made out but results colour everything.

"Sometimes you can be winning and you think your defending is fine and your attacking is good but really it might be quite poor. You can then lose and after you've re-analysed, you see it's not bad.

"We need a run of games where we get another couple of victories."

 "We will try to cause Stoke problems and then deal with the problems they are going to try and cause us - that is all we can do and we will prepare for it," said Hodgson.

"The only way we will find solutions to the problems we have away from home is by playing well. If we are not on top form, there won't be any magical solutions."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.