Not again! Sturridge limps out

NOT for the first time, Daniel Sturridge got that sinking feeling last night. This time after just three minutes. And as if things weren’t bad enough — England manager Gareth Southgate was at Stamford Bridge last night to see his latest breakdown. There was very little in the foot race between him and Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta. But the grimace afterwards said it all. He was injured — again. He was on his haunches, pondering when he may be fit enough to play football. It looked innocuous. But the body of this talented player is riddled with fragility. And when Sturridge hangs up his boots, we should remember the goals. Now, though, we are in danger of remembering him as a crock. His brilliant last-minute goal against Wales in Euro 2016 was the only memorable moment of an otherwise atrocious tournament for England. Injuries have deprived him of such euphoria since and, in truth, they have been the bane of his life ever since he made his professional bow in 2007. Sturridge has missed 120 games due to injury, spending 646 days on the sidelines in that time, at just 28. An outcast at Liverpool, he took the brave decision to leave Anfield to join West Brom’s relegation scrap. A place in Southgate’s plans for the World Cup was the light at the end of his tunnel. You wonder after last night if the England manager has flicked the light switch off.