Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has told Roy Hodgson that Daniel Sturridge will not be fit to play for England next week even if he returns to action for the Reds this weekend.
Sturridge has not played since August after suffering a thigh injury during an England training session and did not travel to Switzerland for Wednesday’s Champions League game against Basel.
However, there is a chance he could make his comeback for Liverpool in Saturday’s Premier League game against West Brom at Anfield.
But even if he does feature in that match, Rodgers, who said the injury “could have been prevented”, insists the forward will not be able to play in England’s European Qualifiers against San Marino at Wembley on Thursday and away to Estonia the following Sunday.
Rodgers said: "Whether he is available for West Brom or not, he won't be fit. We are hoping he can train with the team on Thursday.
"We hope he'll be available on Saturday. But if you are talking about a player's availability for England they need to be fit to play and Daniel will not be fit to play.
"It's something we have stressed. My focus is on protecting Liverpool players and, at this moment, my focus is on getting him fit for Liverpool."
England boss Hodgson could still call up Sturridge when he names his squad for the two games on Thursday and run his own checks on the 25-year-old.
