Liverpool have been unable to place a timescale on Daniel Sturridge's recovery from an ankle injury but say they are hopeful the striker will be fit for the start of next season.

Sturridge suffered the injury in the first half of England's 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland last Wednesday and there are concerns he could be sidelined for three to four months. Liverpool have not confirmed such a lengthy absence, and a serious setback for Brendan Rodgers, other than setting the start of the new campaign on 17 August as his target.

The 23-year-old has undergone a series of tests on the ankle since the challenge by Glenn Whelan and faces a summer of intensive rehabilitation work. A statement said Liverpool "hope to have striker Daniel Sturridge available for the beginning of the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League campaign. Sturridge's ankle injury has been reviewed by a specialist. He suffered a high ankle sprain and Liverpool's medical staff had to allow the swelling to reduce before a final assessment was made."

Rodgers is anxious for Sturridge to recover in time for next season when Suárez will be banned for the first six matches, should he remain a Liverpool player. The former Chelsea striker and Philippe Coutinho softened the blow of Suárez's suspension at the end of last season, Sturridge finishing with 11 goals in 16 appearances following his £12m arrival in January, and should soon by joined at Anfield by Iago Aspas. The Celta Vigo forward is expected to have a medical on Merseyside soon ahead of a £7.7m move.

Norwich City have inquired about signing the midfielder Jonjo Shelvey but could be deterred by an asking price in excess of £5m. The 21-year-old made a promising start to last season under Rodgers and earned England recognition against San Marino in October, but ultimately made only nine league starts having failed to regain a regular place following a dismissal against Manchester United. Shelvey, who is playing for England Under-21s in their European Championship in Israel, may go out on loan in search of a consistent first-team place next season, though Norwich could make an offer for a permanent move.