• Premier League

Rodgers blames England for Sturridge injury

Daniel Sturridge was injured while in training with England last week © Getty Images

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers hinted England should shoulder the responsibility for Daniel Sturridge's injury when revealing the striker will be out for up to two weeks after being injured on international duty.

Sturridge, 25, played 88 minutes of England's 1-0 friendly win over Norway last week before being replaced by Rickie Lambert. But he then suffered a thigh strain in training on Friday morning and missed the Euro 2016 qualifying victory in Switzerland.

Rodgers also confirmed at a press conference that Emre Can, who picked up an ankle injury while on international duty with Turkey, could be out for up to six weeks while Joe Allen is nursing a knee injury sustained while playing for Wales.

"He's one to two weeks away [from playing again]," Rodgers told talkSPORT. "It's disappointing for him because he's worked so hard in preseason and looked very fit and strong in the last game against Tottenham."

Sturridge will miss Liverpool's Premier League game against Aston Villa on Saturday and their first Champions League match at home to Ludogorets next Tuesday.

He could also be sidelined for next weekend's game at West Ham and may not be risked against Middlesbrough in the League Cup the following Tuesday. The Merseyside derby is also looming on September 27 and Rodgers believes the injury to his star striker was avoidable.

"The only disappointment for us was Sturridge coming back injured as he had started the season very well," Rodgers said. "We're obviously disappointed because we feel it was an injury which could have been prevented.

"He has worked so hard over pre-season and looked very fit and strong in our last game against Tottenham.

"Clubs work differently at times to international teams. It's more the recovery strategy. When we look at our players here we look at them individually in terms of what their needs are.

"Fast players would have a second day recovery while other players can work on that day.

"When you are that type of quick player like Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and boys like Danny Welbeck you need to recover them differently."

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