Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip has taken a significant step in his recovery from ankle ligament damage.
Matip was spotted running outside at the Reds' training complex at Kirkby on Wednesday as the remainder of the squad took part in a session ahead of Sunday's Premier League visit to Manchester United.
The centre-back has been sidelined since suffering the injury during the first half of Liverpool's 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur on January 28.
Scans later confirmed the extent of the damage with Jurgen Klopp subsequently ruling the Cameroonian out for the rest of the campaign.
Nevertheless, the sight of Matip back on the training field and on track for a slated pre-season comeback will be a major boost to the Reds boss, who also hopes to have his centre-back options further bolstered by the return of both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez from serious knee injuries this summer.
Matip will also undergo a specialised programme aimed at helping him avoid the niggling injuries that have hampered his Anfield career in the last few seasons.
"There is nothing good to say about it but we have a timeframe and he'll be back for pre-season which is great," said Klopp in February.
"He will finally have enough time to settle and he can work on specific things that will make him stronger for the future."
Matip's injury prompted Liverpool to snap up centre-back duo Ozan Kabak on a loan deal from Schalke and Ben Davies on a permanent switch from Preston .
