"I am really happy to be back," Lucas told LiverpoolFC.tv. "I've really missed my teammates and the atmosphere here, so that's why I decided to come back here to continue my rehab. I am still a long way away, but the knee is getting better and the rehab is going well. I have to make sure I complete a perfect rehab and be back as soon as possible."
The influential midfielder was the club's player of the season in 2010-11. He was well on his way toward repeating the feat, when he went down clutching his knee in the second half of LFC's Carling Cup quarterfinal win over Chelsea. The occasion was blighted by the Brazilian's season-ending ACL injury.
Lucas underwent surgery to repair the ligament in his left knee in early December. Doctors in his native Brazil performed the operation, and it was there that rested and began his rehabilitation program. But the 25-year-old decided it was best to continue his rehab under the watchful eyes of the LFC medical staff. He expects to be healthy enough to participate in the Reds' preseason next summer.
"The next stage is to get the knee moving and in the next few weeks I'll start to walk again," he said. Hopefully in a month's time I'll start in the gym and my programme and be able to work with weights. The physios and the doctors have told me the rehab is going well and progressing well. I am doing everything I can to help my knee recover."
It was also the emotional pull of his new home that prompted the adopted Scouser to return to Liverpool. Relaxing during the Brazilian summer was all well and good, but Lucas missed the camaraderie that comes with turning up at LFC's practice facility (Melwood) on a daily basis. He also prefers cheering on his teammates at Anfield rather than doing so on Twitter. He'll get his first chance in Wednesday's Carling Cup semifinal against Manchester City.
"One of the reasons I decided to come back is because I think it would be good to watch the games here and be closer to the fans," he said. "It won't be easy for me because it will be my first game at Anfield while I have been injured, but it is a really important game and we have a chance of getting to the final. Hopefully in February I can be at Wembley getting a medal!"
LFC's season was forever changed when Lucas went down. No like-for-like replacement for the midfield lynchpin exists, and both club and player will take great delight when he returns to action ahead of the 2012-13 campaign.
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Photo via LiverpoolFC.tv
