MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 21, 2015: Liverpool's substitute Daniel Sturridge before the Premier League match against Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Daniel Sturridge to have “little pre-season” – expected to miss festive fixtures

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Daniel Sturridge is currently having a “little pre-season” in order to prove his fitness before playing again.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 2, 2015: Liverpool's two-goal hero shakes hands with manager Jürgen Klopp as he is substituted against Southampton during the Football League Cup Quarter-Final match at St. Mary's Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The 26-year-old forward has been sidelined, again, since picking up an injury in a substitute appearance against Newcastle United earlier this month.

That injury occurred days after the Englishman had made his first start under Klopp’s management, at Southampton in the League Cup.

“Sturridge is doing his little pre-season in a good way, seven to 10 days like this and then we will see,” said Klopp in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Speaking after the injury against Newcastle, Klopp said: “The injury is not that serious but we have to build up his resistance. You have to cool down this situation a bit and help him be more resistant.”

The Reds’ boss has previously explained how picking up two small injuries, as Sturridge has since returning from the operation he underwent last April, can be expected. The focus is now on getting Sturridge completely fit before he returns to competitive action.

That means he’s almost certainly not going to feature in the festive fixtures against Leicester City (Boxing Day), Sunderland (Dec 30th) and West Ham (Jan 2nd).

A return could be on the cards in the League Cup semi-final first leg against Stoke City (Jan 5th) or the FA Cup third round against Exeter City (Jan 8th).

TIA CHRISTMAS 2015