Liverpool injury news: Daniel Sturridge may return against Chelsea says Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted striker Daniel Sturridge has a chance to return to action for the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Tuesday 26 January – after the Reds secured a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

The 25-year-old England international is yet to play a game since August after suffering a thigh injury at the start of September while on international duty.

Even though the former Chelsea star was expected to return to action last October, he damaged his calf during his recovery before suffering another set-back in November.

After undergoing a special rehabilitation programme on his thigh in Boston, US, Sturridge returned to Liverpool earlier this month to complete his recovery.

Rodgers revealed the striker enjoyed his first training session alongside the rest of his teammates on 25 January and has to be assessed to see whether he can play at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

"We'll see how he is today," Rodgers said, according to Liverpool's official website.

"He had a training session with the team yesterday [on Sunday] and he trained very, very well. It was as comfortable as he's looked, even when he was coming back before - he was maybe a little bit tentative. I thought yesterday he looked back to normal."

Nevertheless, Rodgers is still cautious about the player's fitness, suggesting that even though Sturridge may be able to play, he will not do so as a starter.

"We won't risk it, that's for sure. He's been out for a long time, so we just need to make sure he is ready and feels ready, which is important, to come and contribute," he said.

"I don't think he'll be 100% when he comes back. That will only come when he's got his game time once he gets playing games. All we can do, alongside him, is make sure he is in the best possible condition that he can be, both physically and mentally, and that will give him a chance to stay fit."