Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge can't seem to catch a break with injuries this season.
The 25-year-old England striker picked up a thigh injury back in the beginning of September whilst on international duty with the Three Lions, and has since not featured for his club.
With the player nearing match fitness, Liverpool's Irish manager Brendan Rodgers revealed on Friday, ahead of Sundays match against QPR, that the former Chelsea ace could be facing up to four weeks out of action again after picking up a calf injury on Thursday during training at Melwood.
"Daniel has pulled his calf," Rodgers stated. "He's looking at being out for another two to four weeks.
"It's a big blow as we were looking forward to welcoming Daniel back. He has worked tirelessly.
"But we have other players training hard and working hard and we will turn to them. It's why we bulked up the squad in the summer."
Reaction on Twitter to Daniel Sturridge's latest injury setback
Can't actually believe Sturridge is out for another month. Thought it was all some big joke when I checked twitter quickly last night
— ..... (@MercyRuled) October 18, 2014
Just heard about the Sturridge injury, out for a month not happy desperately needed him back.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) October 17, 2014
Daniel Sturridge doesn't get much luck with injuries. Ouch. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/bCHWpynVIF
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) October 18, 2014
Big blow for LFC with Sturridge breaking down again. Time for Balotelli to come to the party and show that he can be super.
— Didi Hamann (@DietmarHamann) October 18, 2014
Ha, Brendan Rodgers blamed England for Daniel Sturridge injury last time. And now his club is responsible for injuring him before he returns
— Barrie's View (@BarriesView) October 18, 2014
Sturridge is Liverpool's Diaby. #YNWA
— i.am.zombie™ (@AsTallAsHerEyes) October 18, 2014
Last season's English Premier League runners-up, Liverpool have failed to repeat their rampage goalscoring form this time around, as the Reds sit in ninth spot with only ten points from the first seven games thanks to losses to Manchester City, Aston Villa, and West Ham.
Only second to Luis Suarez in last season's Golden Boot race, scoring a whopping 21 times, Sturridge could possibly miss out on key fixtures, including home clashes with Swansea City and table-toppers Chelsea, and both the home and away Champions League tie with La Liga giants and defending Champions Real Madrid.
