Updated

Liverpool consider that Daniel Sturridge's injury is not as bad as first feared and are hopeful he will be in contention for the busy Christmas and New Year programme, according to Sky sources.

Sturridge suffered a hamstring problem after coming on as a 62nd-minute substitute during the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle at St James' Park on Sunday.

He had a scan on the injury on Tuesday and has been diagnosed with a 'strain' which is likely to keep him out of action for a couple of weeks.

That would see him miss the Premier League match against West Brom at Anfield this Sunday and the trip to Watford a week later, as well as the Europa League clash with Sion in Switzerland on Thursday.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp could then welcome Sturridge back into his squad for the showdown with high-flying Leicester City at Anfield on Boxing Day.

England international Sturridge missed the start of the season after having surgery on his hip, and he has had issues with a foot and his knee since Klopp's arrival at Anfield.

He returned to action as a substitute in the 1-0 victory over Swansea on November 29 and scored twice after being handed a start in the 6-1 Capital One Cup win at Southampton last week before dropping down to the bench for the clash with the Magpies.

His latest absence leaves Liverpool light of options up front, with only Christian Benteke and Divock Origi fully fit among their out-and-out strikers - as summer signing Danny Ings is likely to miss the rest of the season with a knee ligament injury.