Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has claimed that he will return from injury "fitter, stronger and hungrier than ever".

The Reds captain has been out of action since March with a groin problem which required surgery.

However, after an intense period of rehabilitation, the 31-year-old believes that he could be fit for Liverpool's trip to Tottenham Hotspur in a couple of weeks' time.

"I won't be involved against Stoke next Saturday but my plan is to hopefully be involved in the game against Tottenham. It will be [manager Kenny Dalglish's] decision when I come back in," he told the club's official website.

"It's been a tough five months for me since I had the surgery. It's been up and down emotionally and I've missed playing so much.

"I've had a good rest, I'm fired up and I'm raring to go again. I know I'm going to come back fitter, stronger and hungrier than ever."

Gerrard has featured in just six matches since Dalglish returned to the club as boss in January.