Sam Allardyce expects Daniel Sturridge to feature for Liverpool against West Ham

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce believes that Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge will feature at some point during Saturday's match at Anfield.

The England international has been out of action since August with calf and thigh problems, but the 25-year-old stepped up his recovery by returning to full training last week.

The Hammers are just four points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United in the Premier League table, but Allardyce is wary of Liverpool's return to form on the pitch.

"I think the way they're playing is right up there with where they were last year," Allardyce told reporters. "They obviously don't have the same goal threat they had last year, in Sturridge and Suarez.

"But I believe Sturridge will probably be back against us at some stage, perhaps off the bench. So there's a bigger and better goal threat there for them."

Liverpool reside just one point below West Ham in eighth place.