Steve Clarke Optimistic Daniel Agger, Raul Meireles, Fabio Aurelio Will Be Ready for United Clash

While Liverpool received a significant blow at Upton Park on Sunday, when Martin Kelly incurred a hamstring injury that will keep him out a month, the young right back is far from the club's only fitness worry.

On each of the other significant fronts, though, things are looking far brighter as first-team coach Steve Clarke is optimistic about Raul Meireles, Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio being ready for Sunday's clash with Manchester United at Anfield.

Meireles, who had been on an incredible month of goal-scoring prior to being removed from the action against West Ham with a knee injury, is still taking it slow, but his schedule should ready him for the visit from the Red Devils.

"We're hopeful," Clarke told Liverpoolfc.tv. "He had a little problem with his knee and as a precaution at the start of the second half we thought it was better to take him off. That gives him a better chance of being ready for the next game.

"He'll get three or four days on the easier list and then hopefully towards the end of the week we'll be able to put him back in the preparations for the weekend."

As for Agger and Aurelio, both injured in Europa League matches against Sparta Prague, Clarke believes both will be fit for Sunday.

"It's similar comments. They are both on the easy list at the moment and we're almost sure Fabio Aurelio will join us (in full training) on Thursday, and we're hopeful Daniel will join us on Thursday or Friday at the latest," explained Clarke.

Given Kelly's injury, Aurelio could play a pivotal role on Sunday, as Glen Johnson will likely return to his natural right-back position, meaning it will either be the Brazilian veteran or young Danny Wilson taking over the left-back spot.