Liverpool have confirmed that midfielder Joe Cole is fit and ready to take part in their season opener away to West Brom this weekend after the player recovered from a hamstring injury.

The player, who spent last season on loan with Lille, making 31 appearances and finding the net on four occasions, picked up the injury during the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

Speaking about his return, Cole told the Liverpool site:

I trained on Thursday for the first time after the injury and it feels good.

It’s good to be back around the squad and available for selection again. I’ve only missed two weeks, so I feel good fitness-wise as we had a good long pre-season and I just need some games now.

It was frustrating having to come off in the first game of the season but that’s one of those things you have to deal with as a footballer. There’s never a good time to get injured but luckily it wasn’t a major thing and I’m back now raring to go and raring to be part of the team.

I’ve had a good pre-season. I’ve trained really well and the training was really intense. I really enjoyed the games we played in and playing at Fenway Park was great. I enjoyed the pre-season. It does what it says on the tin – it gets you fit and that’s the main thing.

Joe Cole’s full injury history: