Liverpool striker Neil Mellor has turned down a loan move to Stoke City. Mellor, who is currently sidelined with knee trouble, was told by the reds that he could join the Championship side on loan, but flatly refused and insisted he wants to prove his fitness to Rafa Benitez and fight for a place at Anfield.
Mellor hasn't played since undergoing surgery on both knees last January, and isn't expected to be fully fit until November at the earliest. Nevertheless, Liverpool have never publicly admitted the players injury concerns, and he has been the subject of persistent transfer speculation this week, with first Sheffield United, and now Stoke both making enquiries for his services.
Mellor is in light training, but he will not be rushed back into playing until his knees feel 100%. He played through the pain barrier for several months, and it affected his form. Mellor is determined to show Benitez what he can do when fully fit, but will only return when the problem has cleared up completely and he can do himself justice.
