Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic is nearing a return after hamstring surgery and the 20-year-old is continuing work on his recovery alongside the first team.Bajcetic underwent surgery on his hamstring towards the end of last season, while on loan with Spanish side Las Palmas.That has seen the Spaniard miss the entirety of Liverpool’s pre-season schedule, but he has continued to follow his rehabilitation programme at the AXA Training Centre.While he could have instead stayed with the U21s – with no clear vacancy in Arne Slot‘s first-team squad – Bajcetic has remained part of the senior setup.He has been seen working in the indoor gym alongside his teammates, while on Wednesday he was among those filmed checking in for training ahead of Friday’s Premier League opener.Checking in ?@AXA | #Ad pic.twitter.com/1mD3LY8Nd8— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 13, 2025Bajcetic – who looks to have significantly bulked up – will not be involved against Bournemouth but is reported to be nearing the end of his recovery work and could soon return to training.Journalist Matteo Moretto wrote on X on Tuesday that the Spaniard is into the final phase of his comeback, though he added that he is then likely to leave Liverpool on another loan.The midfielder’s priority is said to be a return to LaLiga, with Villarreal, Valencia, Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano all linked in the past, though clubs in Portugal and Italy are also interested.There could still be a long-term plan for Bajcetic in place at Liverpool, with the Mail‘s Dominic King explaining recently that the sale of Tyler Morton to Lyon was sanctioned due to the similarity between the two players.Given his long history of injuries, having seemingly been overused upon his breakthrough under Jurgen Klopp, it is difficult to see a route into the first team for Bajcetic.But he earned strong reviews during his time at Las Palmas and Slot did suggest that progress while out on loan could be key to securing a place in his long-term plans.Crucial to his chances is that Bajcetic would have no issue with homegrown eligibility, having already spent three-and-a-half years registered with Liverpool prior to his initial switch to Austrian side Salzburg last summer.That would mean that he would be classed as a homegrown player in the Premier League from next season, by which point he will be 21, as well as club-trained in the Champions League.