• London Olympics 2012

Sturridge thanks Chelsea for rescuing Olympic dream

Daniel Sturridge contracted meningitis © PA Photos

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Daniel Sturridge has thanked Chelsea's doctor for diagnosing his meningitis and rescuing his chance to represent Team GB at London 2012.

The Chelsea striker was close to having to withdraw from Stuart Pearce's squad for the Games after contracting the potentially deadly bug three weeks ago.

But he has made a remarkable recovery and was able to play 45 minutes of the Team GB friendly against Brazil on Friday night.

Sturridge, 22, said: "I thought that my dreams of taking part in the Olympics were over. I am not going to say I would have died, but I don't think I would have recovered as quickly as I have done.

"I was fortunate enough to have a doctor who saw the warning signs straight away and got me off to hospital immediately. I was quarantined for five days and if I hadn't taken any antibiotics in the hospital, I wouldn't have had a chance of taking part in the Olympics."

Recalling how he had gone "from being in tip-top condition to being sick and feeling weak", he said: "I remember going along to a school one Thursday, handing out medals to kids, and I think I must have caught the bug there. I felt absolutely fine before that.

"It is a really difficult thing to get through and, without the help of the Chelsea doctor, my family and my girlfriend, it would have been even more difficult. I would not wish what I have had on my worst enemy."

Sturridge, who made 45 appearances for Chelsea last season, scoring 13 goals, could be in the starting line-up when Team GB begin their campaign against Senegal at Old Trafford on Thursday.

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