Daily Star

Sturridge loan bid

- by DAVE ARMITAGE

STOKE are ready to offer Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge a World Cup lifeline. Boss Mark Hughes is interested in taking the £120,000-a-week star on loan. Injury-prone Sturridge (left) has made just five Premier League starts this season and has failed to convince boss Jurgen Klopp he’s worth a regular slot. He has fallen down the pecking order and is facing a fight to keep alive his dream of being part of Gareth Southgate’s England plans for Russia. Stoke would be prepared to try to broker a deal to land either the 28-year-old or Kop team-mate

Danny Ings, who is back in contention after suffering two serious knee injuries since his £8m move from Burnley two and a half years ago.

Hughes believes Stoke can prove an attractive propositio­n to players with a point to prove – particular­ly those from big clubs in the North West, from where a player could commute easily.

Hughes said: “It is about the football because we feel we’re a top-10 Premier League club and that resonates with players.

“They look at us in a different light these days and would like to come here if they feel that they’re not getting the games their talent deserves.

“You’ve got to use every means at your disposal and our location also plays a part in recruitmen­t.

“We’ve got a good location, so why wouldn’t you want to come here? That’s part of it these days.”

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