Conor Bradley is edging closer to a return to Liverpool training, and he has been backed to make a big impact once he is back up and running again under Andoni Iraola

Liverpool has missed 23-year-old full-back Conor Bradley more than it realized it would, according to one of his former international teammates with Northern Ireland.

Earlier this week, Reds boss Andoni Iraola confirmed that Bradley was edging closer to a return to training having been out since January when he sustained a serious injury against Arsenal. While his recovery has taken a long time, the player remains a big talent who could make a difference this season.

"Conor is not so far from training — not like full training but doing some things with the group," Iraola said. The Spaniard also explained that Hugo Ekitike is "still doing very well".

"Conor’s a great lad and he’s got a brilliant attitude," the former Northern Ireland striker Conor Washington, now at Matlock Town in the Northern Premier League, tells Liverpool.com.

"He’s obviously had a few setbacks with injuries, but I’ve no doubt he’ll come back stronger. I remember he had a period out injured earlier in his career and he came back in unbelievable shape.

"He’d clearly used that time really well, and it almost acted as a springboard for him to go on and establish himself as a regular starter.

"He’s brilliant to play with because he’s got so much energy, he’s aggressive, he wants to get forward and he gives you absolutely everything. He’s got a real confidence about him as well, which I think is one of his biggest strengths.

"I’m sure he’ll have approached this injury in exactly the same way. It’s obviously frustrating for him, but he’s still young and has already achieved so much. Hopefully he can get back playing regularly and pick up where he left off."

Since Bradley was sidelined, Liverpool has changed head coach and the team looks different. There remains a place at full-back up for grabs, though, with center-back Ronald Araujo having often filled in of late.

"I think Liverpool miss Conor massively, and probably more than people expected," Washington, speaking on behalf of Best Betting Bonuses, continues. "Right-back has clearly been a difficult position for them to get right, and I think Conor gives them a really good balance there.

"Jeremie Frimpong’s obviously a really talented player, but it’s important to remember the role he played under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen. He was effectively playing as a right winger at times, with three center-halves behind him, which gave him the freedom to play really high up the pitch and attack the space in behind.

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"That’s quite different to playing as an out-and-out right-back in a back four, where you’ve got much more defensive responsibility. Araujo's a good player as well, but he’s naturally a center-half, so it’s not an ideal situation having to use him out there.

"What Conor gives you is a bit of everything. He’s aggressive defensively, he’s got the energy to get up and down the pitch, and he’s brave enough to get forward and make things happen.

"Having played with him, you know exactly what you’re going to get in terms of his attitude and work rate. I think sometimes you don’t fully appreciate what a player brings until he’s unavailable, and that’s probably been the case with Conor. Liverpool look a much more balanced side with him in the team, and I think they’ll be delighted to have him back."