Day or night, you won't miss a story with the Liverpool Echo newsletter Sign me up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Brendan Rodgers is confident Liverpool FC have finally brought Daniel Sturridge’s injury nightmare to an end.

The Reds striker will be reunited with his team-mates at Melwood on Friday after nearly a month in America where he stepped up his rehabilitation from a torn thigh muscle.

Sturridge spent time in both Los Angeles and Boston – getting advice and treatment from some of the world’s leading sports injury specialists.

Back in November, Liverpool launched a full medical investigation into Sturridge’s history of injuries after he broke down again in training.

The 25-year-old hasn’t played for the Reds since August due to thigh and calf issues. But Rodgers believes he is now close to full fitness and is relishing the prospect of having him back in action later this month.

“We had an extensive look at it for Daniel’s benefit,” Rodgers told the ECHO.

“What he had done in his career up until now – when you look at the injuries he’s had – just hasn’t worked. That’s the reality of it.

“If you have nine injuries on one thigh alone and a number of other issues then there is a procedure you need to look at.

“It’s been about doing everything you possibly can to get as much as you can out of the player.

“That has involved bringing in other reviews, going to see specialists in the field and going to other parts of the world.

“We have taken every measure we possibly can to see if we can get him to be consistently fit. We’ve tried to look after the medium and long term here.

“He has gone out to America and done a lot of great work and they have got him three quarters of the way there. We’ve had video links and been monitoring the situation.

“Now he will come back into here, finish that off and hopefully it will be like having a new player for the rest of the season.”

Rodgers is reluctant to put a date on Sturridge’s comeback but hopes he will soon be able to start full training again.

The return of last season’s 24-goal hitman will be timely as the Reds face his former club Chelsea later this month in a two-legged Capital One Cup semi-final.

Those games come either side of the FA Cup fourth round tie with Bolton Wanderers.

“Daniel will be back with us at Melwood on Friday,” Rodgers said.

“He’s not ready to start full training straightaway but he’s not far off.

“Now it’s just a case of finalising this last period of his rehab.

“There is no comeback game in mind at this stage. We will just see how he adapts when he’s back here.

“Daniel is a key player for us. You put him into any team and it makes them better.

“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.”