Transfer news: Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates to re-join former club Nacional

The Uruguayan will go on loan in a bid to be fit in time for the World Cup

Sebastian Coates in action for Uruguay (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates is set to rejoin former club Nacional on loan as he battles to be fit for this summer's World Cup.

The 23-year-old has been sidelined since tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in a knee while on international duty for Uruguay in August.

Coates is still continuing his rehabilitation but Press Association Sport understands he is already in Montevideo awaiting completion of the move.

Liverpool are prepared to allow the centre-back to continue his rehabilitation in his homeland with a view to him regaining fitness and being able to get some match practice before this summer's tournament in Brazil.

"It would be beautiful to join Nacional and complete my recovery in Uruguay with my family and friends," the centre-back told Radio El Espectador 810.

"The negotiations can be hard sometimes, and we have to wait a bit."

Coates joined Liverpool from Nacional in August 2011 in a reported £7million deal but struggled to force his way into the first team.

The centre-back has made just 24 appearances in that time, half of which have been in the Premier League, and scored two goals.

PA