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Liverpool FC have been dealt a crushing blow after Daniel Sturridge suffered a new injury setback.

The Reds striker could be out for another month after scans confirmed that he pulled his calf during a training session at Melwood on Thursday.

Sturridge was scheduled to make his comeback in Sunday's Premier League clash with lowly Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road after returning to full training during the international break.

The 25-year-old had been sidelined for six weeks following the thigh strain he picked up on England duty and now he faces another frustrating spell on the treatment table.

Boss Brendan Rodgers expects to be without Sturridge for a further two to four weeks, which means he could sit out another seven matches in all competitions.

Sturridge is definitely out of Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Real Madrid at Anfield and he’s also likely to miss the Reds’ return trip to the Bernabeu to face the European champions a fortnight later.

(Image: Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“Daniel has pulled his calf,” Rodgers told the ECHO.

“He’s looking at being out for another two to four weeks.

“It’s a big blow as we were looking forward to welcoming Daniel back. He has worked tirelessly.

“But we have other players training hard and working hard and we will turn to them. It’s why we bulked up the squad in the summer.”

Sturridge, who plundered 21 Premier League goals last season, has been sorely missed since his last appearance for the Reds in the 3-0 win at Tottenham in late August,

In his absence, they have won just three of their seven matches in all competitions.

Mario Balotelli has struggled to lead the line on his own and has yet to open his Premier League account for the club.

However, Rodgers is confident the £16million Italian frontman will start to deliver the goods as the Reds enter a crucial period of seven games in 21 days.

“Mario is doing his best,” Rodgers said.

“He has worked very hard during the international break.

“He is a really good boy and is so keen to impress. Mario has worked like a lion over the past fortnight.

“Nobody is more determined than him to show his value and worth.”

(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The good news for Liverpool is that centre-back Dejan Lovren has recovered from the abdominal injury which forced him to drop out of the Croatia squad last week.

Midfield duo Joe Allen and Emre Can could also return to action against Harry Redknapp’s QPR side having not featured since being injured on international duty last month.

Mamadou Sakho (thigh) won’t be considered for the trip to the capital but could play against Real Madrid next week.

“Dejan felt something and didn’t want to aggravate it but he’s fine now,” Rodgers said.

“Joe is back training and looks fantastic. We will see how he goes over the next few days.

“Emre has been training all week and looks good. Sakho will be back in full training on Monday.”

Locking horns with Real Madrid may be on the horizon but Rodgers is determined to ensure no one is looking any further ahead than Sunday’s game at Loftus Road.

The Reds boss says beating QPR and climbing the Premier League table is more important than claiming the scalp of Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded side.

“Our priority is the Premier League,” he said.

“Our biggest game is Sunday. There will be no thoughts of Real Madrid until after that.

“We’ve made an indifferent start in terms of performances and results but I am quite relaxed about it.

“I said we will see where we’re at after 10 games. After seven games we’re one point off the top four.

"If Phil Jagielka hadn’t scored that worldie strike we’d have an extra two points and be in the top four.

“We are going into a demanding period of seven games in 21 days but it’s exciting.

"It’s what we would all prefer and it’s something we’re looking forward to.

“The players have been magnificent. The attitude and energy they show gives me the hope we can really push on.”