Martin's long road to Preston comeback

The 23-year-old ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last September, a serious injury which destroyed hopes of establishing a first-team spot under Brendan Rodgers.

But with almost a year of rehabilitation and recovery behind him Kelly can now eagerly set genuine comeback targets - beginning with the Reds' first pre-season friendly against Preston.

"My knee feels perfect and I'm just glad to be back with the team for pre-season," the No.34 explained to the Liverpool Echo.

"I came back a week before the other lads to give me a headstart. It's been tough this week with double sessions but the footballs came out straight away and it's been enjoyable.

"It's been 10 months now so the knee has had more than enough time to heal. Now I just feel unfit, I don't feel like I've had a big injury. I've put it behind me - that was last season, this is a new season.

"Pre-season is about getting my fitness back. I'm looking forward to the Preston game and I'm sure there will be a few nerves leading up to it as I haven't played since last September. I want to get that first game out of the way and then crack on.

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"I can't go into it thinking I can just carry on where I left off. I had major surgery and need to take it step by step. I don't want to put pressure on myself by saying this is a massive season for me as I don't know how quickly I'll get back to where I was.

"It's about giving your body respect and being really professional to give yourself the best possible chance of performing at the top level.

"When you are younger, you love football, you enjoy it, but you don't take it as seriously as more experienced players.

"I've had the injuries and I know how to look after my body now - making sure it gets the right rest and food. That's going to stand me in good stead. I know what limits my body can take now.

"We have pushed it to the limits over the past eight months so it can withstand the demands of the Premier League. Fingers crossed this is the season when it all turns around for me and I get that little bit of luck so I can really push on."

Kelly's gruelling recuperation programme was aided by the proximity of his colleagues at the club's training complex, and notably one teammate who understands long-term injury more than most.

The defender, who was handed a new contract extension at Anfield in February 2013, added: "Even when I was out, all the lads made sure I still felt part of the team.

"I came in to do my work at the same time as them so I was with them before they went out to train. I was still involved in all the meetings and that was good mentally for me.

"It was great to have Lucas around to talk to. When I'd say my tendon was aching he would reassure me that was normal.

"He was a big support but his rehab was different to mine. His cruciate was done by a tackle; mine was done by being off balance. He was back within six months but my rehab took longer because I'm a different type of player to Lucas.

"The surgeon made it clear that I could only go back into training when I felt like I not only had the strength but also the balance work to go with it otherwise I could go over on it again.

"I'm the type of person who takes that bit longer to heal. I did a lot of work in the gym on my strength, core and balance.

"Then I stepped things up gradually by doing a few sessions with the U18s and then the U21s before training with the lads at Melwood. You have to be careful."

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