Daniel Sturridge out for 'weeks' after picking up yet another injury in Newcastle defeat

Sturridge is becoming a serial absentee for Liverpool

DANIEL STURRIDGE is facing yet another spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury in Liverpool’s defeat to Newcastle.

 

Liverpool sent the striker for scans on the problem on Tuesday and now expect him to be out for ‘weeks’ given his injury history. 

He will miss Thursday’s Europa League tie with FC Sion and given the congested nature of the looming Christmas programme seems likely to be absent for multiple matches.

The setback will raise fresh doubts as to Sturridge’s ability to play a central part in new manager Jurgen Klopp’s vision for the club.

 

Sturridge had scored twice against Southampton on his first start under Klopp last week, but returned to the substitutes’ bench at St James’ Park as Liverpool sought to carefully manage his comeback.

He came on for the final 28 minutes, but reported discomfort in the muscle afterwards to Anfield medical staff. 

The England forward has already had knee and foot injuries since Klopp took charge in October and, in total, he has played just 106 minutes under the German.

 

Sturridge missed the start of the season as he recovered from hip surgery which ended his involvement in the last campaign early.

Klopp said last week it was “normal” for a player to pick up repeated injuries following an extended lay-off, but the frequency with which Sturridge is blighted by difficulties will concern him.

The fragile fitness of Sturridge also remains an issue for England coach Roy Hodgson ahead of Euro 2016 next summer.