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Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge on pace to return in time to face Everton

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has stepped up his training programme as he closes in on a first team return for the Anfield club.

Sturridge has been on the sidelines since he picked up a thigh injury training with England earlier this month, but he tweeted images of his latest fitness work-out at Liverpool's Melwood training base on Wednesday.

Sturridge's return to action will be timely for a Liverpool side who have looked a little toothless in the attacking third in his absence, with the 1-0 home defeat against Aston Villa backed up by an inconvincing Champions League display against Ludogorets at Anfield on Tuesday.

It remains to be seen whether Sturridge will play a part of the Liverpool squad for their game at West Ham on Saturday, but he appears to be on course to take his place in the Reds line-up for the Merseyside derby against Everton at the end of September.