Daniel Sturridge returns to Liverpool training

Brendan Rodgers has refused to put a timeline on Daniel Sturridge’s return from injury.

Sturridge has been back in training at Melwood after spending the Christmas period working with the Boston Red Sox medical team in America to overcome a thigh injury.

The 25-year-old, who has not played for Liverpool since the 3-0 win over Tottenham in August, has been sorely missed but Rodgers is reluctant to rush him back too soon.

‘Daniel Sturridge is back and working well,’ said the Liverpool boss. ‘Obviously he’s not ready to play as of yet but hopefully he’ll be ready in the near future.

‘Time will tell (when he can return). We just want him fit. He’s into the final stages of his rehab but there is no timeline on it.’

Liverpool have struggled for goals without Sturridge and Rodgers spoke gushingly about the England striker earlier in the week.

'Daniel is a key player for us. You put him into any team and it makes them better,' he said.

'His pace is frightening, his touch, his movement, and he's also improved the defensive part of his game in order to press the ball.

'If he can just sustain that fitness, he's shown what he can do. We're hoping that he can stay fit and lead the charge for us over the next few years.'

Sturridge was pictured training for the first time at Melwood on Thursday, but it was unclear whether he took part in Liverpool's main training session or trained alone as he stepped up his recovery.

Sturridge was joined by Raheem Sterling, who flew to Jamaica after the 2-2 draw with Leicester on New Year's Day, having been given some time off by Rodgers.

Credit: Chris Wheeler/SportsMail