Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has declared himself happy with the progress of Daniel Sturridge, following the striker’s first full training session on Sunday.
The England international has been sidelined for most of the season with various muscle injuries, but has been training by himself for the last week.
The 25-year-old joined the rest of his teammates in training over the weekend ahead of the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
And Rodgers hinted that Sturridge could be on the bench when the Reds line up against the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
“We’ll see how he is today,” the Ulsteman said in his pre-match press conference.
“He had a training session with the team yesterday and he trained very, very well. It was as comfortable as he’s looked, even when he was coming back before – he was maybe a little bit tentative. I thought yesterday he looked back to normal.”
However, Rodgers was quick to stress that Sturridge will not be risked if he is not ready to return to action.
“We won’t risk it, that’s for sure. He’s been out for a long time, so we just need to make sure he is ready and feels ready, which is important, to come and contribute.
“I don’t think he’ll be 100 per cent when he comes back, that will only come when he’s got his game time once he gets playing games.
“All we can do, alongside him, is make sure he is in the best possible condition that he can be, both physically and mentally, and that will give him a chance to stay fit.”
