Steven Gerrard has not suffered a setback in his bid to return from a hamstring injury claims Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson.

The talismanic midfielder has not been available for the Reds since tearing his hamstring during England's friendly defeat to France a fortnight ago.

Reports had suggested that he aggravated the injury in training in midweek but Hodgson has stressed that the damage was only minimal.

He said:"There's no problem with Steven.

"It turned out that he just tweaked a bit of scar tissue. I spoke to him after Tuesday's training and he did say he felt he had tweaked something.

"But the medical people have had a look at him and said it was nothing, it was only scar tissue."

Liverpool will be without Gerrard for their game against Aston Villa on Monday but he could line up to face Newcastle next Saturday if his rehabilitation remains on track.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email