Daniel Sturridge set for Liverpool return

Daniel Sturridge could resume his lethal partnership with Luis Suarez at Stoke on Sunday after stepping up his training.

He damaged ankle ligaments during a training session at the club’s Melwood training base on November 29 and has missed nine matches.

His return is also good news for England after the recent shock over the long-term injury to Theo Walcott.

It was feared Sturridge would be out for two months but his rehabilitation has gone smoothly, and he passed an intensive outdoor session at Melwood on Monday.

Most of Liverpool’s squad had a day-off after the 2-0 FA Cup win against Oldham but Sturridge trained with Anfield’s head of performance Glen Driscoll.

He completed a series of twisting and turning sprints with a ball at his feet and, provided he suffers no reaction, will join in full training with the squad.

It is a crucial period in Liverpool’s season, as they host rivals Everton and Arsenal in the next four weeks.

Before the 24-year-old was ruled out, Sturridge had combined with Suarez to score 14 goals in seven Barclays Premier League games.

Credit: Dominic King/SportsMail