RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Former Liverpool and Valencia defender Fabio Aurelio has returned to training with Brazil' s Gremio after recovering from a serious knee injury.

The 33-year-old underwent surgery in July to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, suffered just days before his expected debut for the Porto Alegre club.

In his first appearance on the Estadio Olimpico pitch for more than four months, Aurelio completed light running and walking exercises on Wednesday.

"Very soon he is going to be playing again," Gremio' s fitness trainer Antonio Mello said.

"He is still under the supervision of the physiotherapy department.His first exercises are designed to bring back his balance and coordination."

Aurelio, who played 87 matches for Liverpool and 96 for Valencia, is expected to be fit to play again in January.?