http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/178613-balotelli-allen-and-glen-fit-for-bolton Brendan Rodgers will have Glen Johnson, Joe Allen and Mario Balotelli available for selection as he prepares to make a handful of changes for Saturday's FA Cup tie with Bolton Wanderers. The trio have resumed full training at Melwood this week and are in contention to take on the Trotters at Anfield after the manager confirmed he will consider slightly shuffling his pack. Johnson (groin) and Allen (knee) have not figured since the trip to Manchester United on December 14, while illness has prevented Balotelli from taking part in Liverpool's last two outings. Rodgers told his pre-Bolton press conference: "Joe Allen has been back and trained this week, which has been great. "Glen Johnson has had a good week's training, so he'll be available. Mario has trained as well, so he is available." Three players who won't be involved in the fourth-round tie are Daniel Sturridge, Brad Jones and Jon Flanagan as they continue their own rehabilitations from injury. Jordon Ibe, meanwhile, is cup-tied having played in the competition while on loan at Derby County. Rodgers added: "We're still waiting [on Sturridge]. He's still working, but he won't be available for the weekend. "Brad [Jones] is still out and won't be available and Jon [Flanagan] is not part of the squad as of yet." Due to Liverpool's congested fixture schedule, Rodgers explained he will give thought to rotating his line-up slightly, with some of the club's youngsters likely to get an opportunity. "We'll make some changes, but it's a game we want to win and we want to progress into the next round," said the boss. "I'll do what I've done right the way through the season and look at our squad. We've got some very good players and we'll look to make changes, but not too many." Liverpool have lost just once in their last 15 matches and are undefeated since the clash at Old Trafford with United last month. Asked by reporters whether making changes would present any disruption to the form Liverpool have produced over the course of their current nine-game unbeaten run, Rodgers replied: "We've kept it pretty consistent through December and this last period, and I think the players on the outside who haven't been playing as much see clearly how the team functions and how well it has done. "But we've been able to work more in training, so it means those coming into that are into a system and way of working that suits them well. "It's always a balance between consistency and rotation, but it's something we're comfortable with. We'll make changes this weekend, but it shouldn't disrupt the flow of our play."
It sum's it up when a trio are announced to be returning and the shining light of the bunch is Joe Allen
You mean epic Allen. Johnson does not really fit this system. He doesnt have the legs for WB and is far from CB material. Rodgers will find a way though.
But seriously though. If Rodgers brings either or all of Balotelli, Johnson, Allen into the team I'm going to hide out at Melwood one evening and the next morning get all Deliverance / Michael Douglas in Falling Down on him.
In the context of squad rotation, I wouldn't mind seeing Lovren and Johnson get game time against Bolton. We should be winning regardless and it means our core players get a rest.
Magic sort your signature out If Rodgers brings Johnson back at the expense of Markovic then we can close the "Rodgers deserves credit thread" that's for sure.
I'll certainly not only close it but change title to sack the prick and put a snide comment at end as it closes
