Injury return update: Dejan Lovren and Daniel Sturridge

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25-year-old forward on his way back…

Star forward Daniel Sturridge should be ready to start matches before the end of January, and Dejan Lovren is on his way back too, Brendan Rodgers told the official website.

Rodgers was asked about his squad’s availability ahead of the tie with Leicester City on New Years Day, and the Northern Irishman replied:

“We’re fine. Obviously Martin misses the game through suspension, but other players will be available.

“Dejan has only been back training in the last couple of days. We’ll see how he is today and then we’ll take it from there.

“If he’s not [fit] for tomorrow, then definitely for the FA Cup game [against Wimbledon].

“I am happy with the squad and the strength of it. It’s continually improving.

“Leicester will be a tough game for us. They had a great result at Hull, which will give them big confidence going away from home. They’re very resilient and we know it’ll be a tough game.”

Whether Lovren is fit for the clash with the Tigers might not make too much difference to the starting XI, with Mamadou Sakho doing pretty well in the left centre-back role since returning from injury.

As a result, the Frenchman deserves an elongated run in the side, although Rodgers is known to rate the £20m Croat Lovren highly despite his ropey first six months at Anfield.

Sturridge is a player who would almost certainly come back into the side if he’s fit, however. Rodgers has adapted us to playing  3-4-3 system to accommodate the English man’s lengthy absence, but due to the lack of a natural finisher in the side, Sturridge’s return is crucial.

“He’s coming back into the country in early January to finalise his rehab here,” Rodgers said on the forward.

“Hopefully at some point in January – the middle to end – he’ll be available to play.”

Speculatively then, Sturridge could be back for the January 17th clash with Aston Villa, or the League Cup semi-final doubler-header with Chelsea that quickly follows…

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