Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge won’t be back available for the visit to Man United after the international break.
Sturridge returned to Merseyside at the end of August and was back at Melwood last week – training on his own as he completed his rehabilitation after hip surgery in May.
Some reports had suggested the 26-year-old could make his long-awaited return for the match at Old Trafford, a week on Saturday.
At the time we questioned how those claims could be true, pointing out that Sturridge would have less than three weeks to be ready for the game, having not trained with his teammates since April.
Alas, the Mirror now claim it’s a “big blow” for Liverpool that he won’t be available. Despite the fact Liverpool had originally anticipated the England forward not returning until October.
They now report that “Sturridge will come back into full training when the international break finishes and then would most likely aim for a return before October.” So basically as was always expected and originally reported back in May.
They’re still saying before October though. That could mean a return perhaps in the League Cup against Carlisle on September 23rd.
A fortnight ago the Guardian made the same claim that Sturridge could be back vs. United, before writing that he would be “eased back into first-team training”. Which contradicts the initial claim.
As we’ve always said, a far more likely return would be the Europa League match against FC Sion on October 1st is more realistic.
Sturridge’s eventual return to full fitness will bring about the exciting potential of a partnership with Christian Benteke up front.
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