Liverpool are resigned to being without Daniel Sturridge until the new year after scans confirmed he has suffered his second thigh strain of an injury-blighted season.

The 25-year-old pulled up while training for what was scheduled to be his return from a 10-week lay-off against Crystal Palace and his worst fears were realised on Wednesday. Test results revealed a fresh strain in the thigh he damaged earlier this season.

Sturridge missed six weeks with the first thigh strain. Liverpool have not put a timeframe on his latest absence but expect him to require up to six further weeks to recover, meaning the source of 22 Premier League goals last season is unlikely to play again in 2014.

Liverpool confirmed his thigh strain in a statement: “Scans have revealed Daniel Sturridge has sustained a new thigh injury. The player will remain unavailable for selection but will be monitored and assessed during his recovery.”

The diagnosis represents a major setback for the England international and the Liverpool manager, with the team toiling in the absence of last season's strike partnership of Sturridge and Luis Suárez and their alternatives – Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini – yet to score in a combined total of 888 minutes of Premier League football.

An opportunity

Liverpool are 11th in the Premier League and must beat Ludogorets Razgrad in Sofia next week to preserve their chances of progressing in the Champions League.

Should they exit against the Bulgarian champions or Basel on December 9th, their Champions League campaign will be over before Sturridge has had an opportunity to feature in it.

Guardian Service