Brendan Rodgers: England 'intelligent enough' not to push Sturridge fitness

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has talked of the steady approach the club is taking to return Daniel Sturridge to full fitness, and he hopes his national side follows suit.

After a thigh injury and then hip surgery made the England forward miss the final six months of last season, the 26-year-old bagged a brace in Saturday's 3-2 win over Aston Villa in his second start of this campaign. His performance earned a standing ovation at Anfield when he was replaced in the final moments of the match.

"We have seen from the game at the weekend he is still building his way towards full fitness," Rodgers told reporters.

"With every individual player you have to assess and analyse where they are physically.

"Daniel has worked very hard and has come back ahead of schedule but we just have to make sure we don't break him at this stage."

Rodgers has previously criticised England manager Roy Hodgson's handling of Sturridge after the striker was injured while training with his country last year. It was one of the earlier signs of his troublesome hip problem.

After the weekend's double salvo, the former Manchester City and Chelsea man could be in line for a national team recall on Thursday.

Rodgers doesn't believe Sturridge is ready to play in both of England's Euro 2016 qualifiers in October, though. The Three Lions host Estonia on the October 9, and then travel to Lithuania on October 12.

"Not at the moment, but the guys with England are intelligent enough to understand that. I'm sure at some point before they meet up, we'll have a little conversation.

"I don't speak so much to the international managers. When the players go away, I let them deal with it. They're highly qualified professionals who work at the level."

Rodgers says he will ensure the Football Association will get a full rundown of Sturridge's fitness, but for now his sights are on his appearances in a Liverpool shirt.

After Thursday's hosting of FC Sion in the Europa League, the Reds travel to local rival Everton in Sunday's Premier League action.