Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has claimed that Daniel Sturridge won't be 100% fit until next season.
The Reds striker was out for five months earlier in the season and returned to action at the end of January, but the England international was forced to withdraw from the latest Three Lions squad at the end of the last month through injury.
Despite starting Wednesday's 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in an FA Cup replay, Rodgers thinks that Sturridge won't be fully fit until the forward plays a full pre-season.
The Mirror quotes the Reds boss as saying: "When you're out for that length of time, it maybe takes you the same amount of time to get back again.
"The key for him was to get back and be fit, but he needs a good pre-season - a total run - and hopefully he'll be fine for next season.
"Until that point, we have to maximise what we can get out of him."
Rodgers's side take on Newcastle United on Monday.
Paul Gorst
