Reds hopeful over Konchesky for derby

Liverpool are confident Paul Konchesky will win his battle to be fit in time to sample his first Merseyside derby.

The Reds' new left-back was substituted once again during the 2-2 draw with Sunderland on Saturday - the third time in as many games - with a hamstring problem that has proved so troublesome during his first month with the club.

He will definitely miss Thursday's Europa League clash against FC Utrecht in Holland and will also be sidelined for Blackpool's visit to Anfield next Sunday.

However, the injury which Konchesky has sustained is understood not to be too serious and it is expected that he will have recovered in time for the trip to Goodison Park on October 17 - the first game after the next international break.

Konchesky had missed the start of the season and was hurried back into Fulham's starting line-up for their 2-2 draw with Manchester United on August 22 before completing his £5m switch to Anfield.

It will mean Daniel Agger having to continue at left-back during Konchesky's enforced absence, as Fabio Aurelio is still not ready to play after damaging his Achilles tendon in the 2-1 win over Trabzonspor last month.

Given the traumas he has suffered with injuries in recent years - he ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2007 - Liverpool's medical staff will not give the Brazilian the green light to return to action until they are satisfied he has totally recovered.

Aurelio has not returned to full training yet and Roy Hodgson confirmed today: "Where Fabio Aurelio is concerned, caution and prudence have to be the words that we use. He is progressing all the time and his efforts are very commendable but we can't bring him back too early.

"We took him off against Trabzonspor as a precautionary measure, as we didn't want to run the risk of him sustaining a serious problem."

Hodgson, meanwhile, has reiterated his belief that Liverpool's team will gel together once the new faces and the old guard become fully attuned to one another.

The manager is considering naming a strong team in Utrecht and, even though Liverpool's form has been patchy, he expects things to gel.

"The league, in many ways, is getting tighter and tighter," said Hodgson. "But the league is only just starting and already people are commenting, saying they have seen which teams are going to be relegated and who will be the future champions.

"But when you have been in football a long time, you realise those comments don't serve a purpose. There are so many things that can happen during a season.

"As a team, we are working very hard. We have got new players in the team and I hope the fighting qualities we have will stand us in good stead."