‘Sensational’ Ibe to return

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Ibe, who made his debut for Wycombe at the age of 15 before joining Liverpool a few months later, has been out since February due to a knee-ligament injury.

The 19-year-old was in the midst of a run in Liverpool’s starting XI when the injury struck but Rodgers is delighted the speedy winger is now on the verge of a comeback.

“Young Jordon Ibe will come back in and I’ve got to say he’s looked absolutely sensational in training,” Rodgers said the Northern Irishman.

“He’s been out for a while but he’s been a couple of weeks now out on the field doing his preparation work and he’s joined in the training.

“He’s looked absolutely outstanding. He’s got real natural fitness and he’ll come into the squad for Monday night.”

Liverpool head into the game boosted by 1-0 win over Blackburn in midweek, setting up an FA Cup semi-final tie with Aston Villa at Wembley on April 19.

Newcastle on the other hand are trying to end a run of four successive defeats, the last of which coming against bitter rivals Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear last Sunday.

Rodgers has sympathy with Newcastle interim head coach John Carver, who the Northern Irishman insists will be desperate to stake his claim for the role on a permanent basis.

“They’re probably a little bit unfortunate in that a number of players are injured,” added Rogers.

“They’ve got arguably the most passionate man involved in John in terms of Newcastle United – it runs right through him.

“He’s also a very, very good coach; an excellent coach who looks like he wants to step into management and will do everything he possibly can to get the role there.

“He knows the club inside-out, has been there a long time and he will want to get back on track again having been disappointed in their last performance and result.

“We expect it to be a tough game, they always are against Newcastle.”

Watch Liverpool take on Newcastle in the Monday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.