Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is excited about the prospect of getting back a key member of his team but will evaluate him on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s trip to Loftus Road

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is leaving it late before determining whether or not Daniel Sturridge is able to play any part against QPR on Sunday.

The England international striker has been out of action since facing Tottenham on August 31 but is nearing a return to the first team.

The striker is one of several players on the verge of a comeback after injuries, leaving the Reds boss optimistic of a big impact.

Rodgers told the press on Friday: “Thankfully, we have got a number of our other injured players back. Joe Allen is training and looking really well, Emre Can is back, Glen Johnson is back in so that side is looking healthy. Dejan [Lovren] will hopefully be fine for the weekend.

“We’ll have to see tomorrow how Dan is. We just need to see by tomorrow where he’s at and then we’ll take it from there.

“He has obviously been out for a long time, nearly six weeks. He is working tirelessly with the medical team – I have got an incredible sports science and medical team here.

“They really focus in on his rehabilitation. He’s a top-class talent and he’ll be looking forward to getting back once he’s ready.

“He’s an excellent player that not only creates space for himself but for others. If you look at our team in the last 18 months – the penetration and ability to break lines and dominate the game without the ball, with runs – Daniel and other players have made us a real threat.

“Obviously when you take him out of the team you’re playing a different game and the model of your game is different. When he’s playing and playing how he has done since he’s been here, he’s one of the top European strikers.”

The Three Lions boss claimed on Tuesday the winger was “too tired” to start against Estonia and the Northern Irishman has now jumped to the defence of the 19-year-old

Brendan Rodgers has vehemently denied Raheem Sterling refused to play for England, insisting the Liverpool star is being “hung out to dry” by critics.

Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson revealed after Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Estonia that the 19-year-old told him he was “too tired” to start the game, then questioned Liverpool’s recovery measures.

Rodgers, though, has backed his player and revealed his frustration at the ongoing speculation surrounding the situation, which he has moved to end by insisting there is no row between himself and Hodgson.

“At no point did Raheem Sterling say he didn’t want to play for England,” Rodgers told The Independent.

“The boy is being hung out to dry and I dare say the criticism will continue for a few more weeks to come because of this.”

He continued: “I’m fed up reading about this club v country row, claims we intervened and put pressure on Roy Hodgson.

“I’ve read we sent dossiers to the [Football Association] on Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge and I’m having showdown talks with Roy Hodgson on Sunday and all sorts of rubbish.

“The decision not to play him was a managerial decision. I haven’t said a single word but have to say I have never seen such rubbish written over the last few days.”

Rodgers, though, revealed Sterling has voiced similar concerns regarding his fitness, with the winger rested for the 1-0 home loss to Aston Villa because of it.

He added: “Let me tell you, there have been at least five occasions in the past when Raheem has said he felt tired before games but he’s never refused to play.

“We have taken on board what he has said and taken a decision accordingly. I rested him against Aston Villa and we lost the game. But it was our decision to do so – and our decision alone.

“Last season he said he felt tired before the Manchester City game. We won 3-2 and he put in a man-of-the-match performance.

“The point I’m making is you have to take on board advice from your own people and make your own decision, right or wrong.”

The Liverpool striker has blasted the former Italy coach, who publicly criticised him after the Azzurri were eliminated from the World Cup in Brazil

Mario Balotelli has slammed Cesare Prandelli, accusing the former Italy coach of not being a “real man”.

The Liverpool star was publicly criticised by Prandelli following the Azzurri’s group stage exit at the World Cup, with the striker hauled off at half-time during the decisive 1-0 defeat to Uruguay.

“Real men, if they have something to say, then they come to you and say it to your face,” Balotelli told Sport.

“I am a face-to-face person, a straight person.

“Prandelli said bad stuff about me. Should he be going and talking to the newspapers about me straight after a game? I did not expect that and I did not reply, because there is no point.

“I have to be honest and say I was disappointed at what people were saying and how they were blaming me after the World Cup.

“I think I had two, maybe three chances all tournament. Everyone knows I scored against England, but I couldn’t do much else.”

Prandelli resigned after the World Cup debacle, taking the Galatasaray job which Roberto Mancini had vacated, but Balotelli has not been called up since by new coach Antonio Conte as he has struggled to rekindle his 2013 form.

“I understand why I am not in the squad,” he stated.

“I haven’t been scoring, but players like [Graziano] Pelle and the other strikers have been. So they deserve to be there, but I love Italy and nobody can ever say anything about my national team.”

Balotelli made his Italy debut back in 2010 and has scored 13 goals in 33 appearances.