• Premier League

Sturridge closing in on a return

ESPN staff
September 18, 2014
Nicol unsure of Balotelli

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has stepped up his training programme and is closing in on a first-team return for the Anfield club.

Sturridge has been on the sidelines since he picked up a thigh injury training with England earlier this month, but he tweeted images of his latest fitness work-out at Liverpool's Melwood training base on Wednesday.

Sturridge's return to action will be timely for a Liverpool side who have looked a little toothless in the attacking third in his absence, with the 1-0 home defeat against Aston Villa followed by an unconvincing Champions League display against Ludogorets at Anfield on Tuesday.

England manager Roy Hodgson may also be relieved at the relatively rapid recovery after coming under fire from Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers for the way he managed Sturridge's fitness while on international duty.

Rodgers claimed that his striker should have been given a greater recovery time between matches, saying the injury could have been prevented and was a setback after the club had helped Sturridge build a good fitness foundation during pre-season.

It remains to be seen whether Sturridge be part of the Liverpool squad for their game at West Ham on Saturday, but he appears to be on course to take his place in the line-up for the Merseyside derby against Everton at the end of September.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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