Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has returned to training with his teammates this week, and manager Brendan Rodgers is hopeful that he will return to action in the "near future".

The England international has not played since September due to a series of calf and thigh injuries, but following a stint of rehabilitation in the United States, the striker is closing in on a return to the pitch.

Ahead of Saturday's match away to Aston Villa, Rodgers told reporters: "Daniel Sturridge is back and working well. He's obviously not ready to play as of yet, but he's working well, so hopefully in the near future he'll be ready."

Liverpool have lost just once in their last nine Premier League fixtures.