Daniel Sturridge prepares for Liverpool return

Sturridge, whose year was littered with a succession of injuries last term, spent the pre-season programme in Boston working on his fitness ahead of the new campaign.

There were fears Sturridge would be out until November after the hip surgery, but the 25-year-old is well on his way to recovery.

Liverpool head of performance Glen Driscoll and physio Chris Morgan will travel to the States this weekend to assess Sturridge.

The England worldwide will be eased back into first-team training initially, with Liverpool reluctant to take any risks on a player who suffered two thigh injuries, a calf strain and a hip problem last season.

Sturridge is hoping to be fit for the trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on September 12. The club captain has not discovered the extent of a problem that forced him out of the win over Bournemouth.

And the Reds striker gave Liverpool supporters an insight into the late stage of his rehabilitation with a YouTube video on Tuesday evening.