Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is expecting a double injury boost ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Saints.

Brazilian midfielder Lucas Levia is set to return to the squad for the first time since injuring his thigh in August.

Former England man Joe Cole is also ready to make a comeback.

Rodgers, whose side lost 2-1 at Tottenham on Wednesday, said: “The squad is fine.

“Joe Cole will come back into contention. He had a scan on an injury but that showed up fine, so he should be available again.

“Lucas Leiva will return to the squad, which is great news because he's been working very, very hard and played the reserve game last week.

“He's been training for a few weeks and looked very good.

“Other than that, the mood is very good and we're really looking forward to the game.”

Rodgers had words of praise for opposite number Nigel Adkins.

Like the Liverpool boss in his former job at Swansea, Adkins has had to battle to get to the top flight via a promotion and is now seeking to stay there.

“It will be a tough game,” reflected Rodgers.

“Nigel has done a terrific job - he's like a lot of British managers who have had to earn the right to come into the Barclays Premier League through a promotion.

“In the last few games, they have had good results.

“They are a team that like to play and pass and they'll come with freedom.

“But our expectancy and objective is to win the game.

“As a football club there's no big hooray at getting into the top half. This is a club that needs to be near the top of the league. Every step with a win is a positive step. The quicker we climb places with three points, that's our objective.”

Defeat at Tottenham dropped the Reds further adrift of the top four and Rodgers knows there will come a time when results have to start matching performances.

“My job here is to gain results while developing a way and philosophy at the club,” he added.