Daniel Sturridge: Liverpool Manager Brendan Rodgers Will Make Late Decision on Striker's Fitness

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will wait until the last minute before deciding whether to include Daniel Sturridge in his squad for the visit to Queens Park Rangers on Sunday 19 October.

Sturridge has not played for the club since the end of August after suffering a thigh injury while on international duty with England.

In his absence, Liverpool have struggled in front of goal having scored just six goals in six league and Champions League games but the 25-year-old could return at Loftus Road, with Emre Can and Joe Allen also back in contention.

On the subject of injuries, Rodgers told a press conference: "We will see how Daniel Sturridge is tomorrow. He is training, looking well. Emre Can's back in, Joe Allen's back in.

"I've got an incredible medical and sports science team and they've done brilliantly. Daniel has been working tirelessly and will be delighted to be back, when he's ready."

While Liverpool will be looking to address their poor league form that sees them sat ninth in the table after seven games, a crucial Champions League clash with holders Real Madrid looms midweek.

But the Reds manager has dismissed any possibility of promising one game over the other, insisting QPR remain firmly at the top of his agenda.

"Our most important game is the next game, and that's QPR. I'll have to look at it but if I want to go with the same team against Real Madrid, I think I can. We won't think about Real until after Sunday's match," he said.

After coming within just two points of ending their wait for Premier League glory last season, Liverpool are already nine points off leaders Chelsea, but within just one of fourth placed Manchester United.

Rodgers laughed off talk of a crisis at Anfield and urged his critics to consider their prospects later on in the season.

"I'm quite relaxed on it all and we will look at it after 10 games to see how we're set. At this point in time, we are looking to improve our performance level and we know we will get better," he said.

"There's no crisis, we lost a world-class player and brought a number in. The players here are magnificent and the attitude and effort they show gives me the hope we can push on."