Liverpool striker Fernando Torres could make a comeback during the Christmas programme after missing five games with a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
Torres has not featured for Liverpool since the 1-0 Champions League victory over Marseille on 26 November.
The 24-year-old has suffered a stop-start season, as a series of hamstring injuries interrupting his progress.
Liverpool take on Bolton on Boxing Day before a Premier League game against Newcastle on 28 December.
Torres made a huge impact for Liverpool last season after arriving at Anfield from Atletico Madrid, and went on to score the winner for Spain in the final of Euro 2008.
But this season has been a frustrating affair for Torres with a persistent hamstring injury restricting him to 13 starts and three substitute appearances.
Assistant manager Sammy Lee would not confirm whether Torres would play against Bolton, but admitted he was close to a return.
"Torres is improving. He's been working very, very hard with his rehabilitation," said Lee.
"As regards the Christmas period, I will say his rehab is coming on well.
"You have to try to take the positives from any negative situation. It wasn't nice to have him injured or missing but that's football. It's the nature of the game, and he has had a break and will be back fresh now.
"I think it speaks volumes for the squad that they have managed to get to the top without Fernando for long periods."
Liverpool enter the Christmas period top of the league for the first time since 1996.
And two wins from the next two games will give them their best points total in a calendar year for 19 years, the last time they won the title.
Javier Mascherano, who missed the draw at Arsenal last weekend through illness, is also available again for the visit of Bolton.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7787554.stm
Torres has not featured for Liverpool since the 1-0 Champions League victory over Marseille on 26 November.
The 24-year-old has suffered a stop-start season, as a series of hamstring injuries interrupting his progress.
Liverpool take on Bolton on Boxing Day before a Premier League game against Newcastle on 28 December.
Torres made a huge impact for Liverpool last season after arriving at Anfield from Atletico Madrid, and went on to score the winner for Spain in the final of Euro 2008.
But this season has been a frustrating affair for Torres with a persistent hamstring injury restricting him to 13 starts and three substitute appearances.
Assistant manager Sammy Lee would not confirm whether Torres would play against Bolton, but admitted he was close to a return.
"Torres is improving. He's been working very, very hard with his rehabilitation," said Lee.
"As regards the Christmas period, I will say his rehab is coming on well.
"You have to try to take the positives from any negative situation. It wasn't nice to have him injured or missing but that's football. It's the nature of the game, and he has had a break and will be back fresh now.
"I think it speaks volumes for the squad that they have managed to get to the top without Fernando for long periods."
Liverpool enter the Christmas period top of the league for the first time since 1996.
And two wins from the next two games will give them their best points total in a calendar year for 19 years, the last time they won the title.
Javier Mascherano, who missed the draw at Arsenal last weekend through illness, is also available again for the visit of Bolton.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7787554.stm
