Raheem Sterling Injury: Updates on Liverpool and England Star's Toe and Return

Raheem Sterling pulled out of England's friendly with Italy after suffering a toe injury. However, he is training regularly and is expected to be ready to play against Arsenal.

Continue for updates.

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Sterling Starts vs. Arsenal

Saturday, April 4

Liverpool's official Twitter feed reported that Sterling would start against Arsenal.

On March 30, Neil Jones of the Liverpool Echo reported that Sterling "will train as normal at Melwood this week, and is expected to start at the Emirates, as his side look to revive their hopes of a top-four finish."

On March 28, Sky Sports reported that Sterling expects to be fit when Liverpool take on Arsenal: 

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 Asked if he would be fit to face the Gunners, Sterling said: "Hopefully, yeah. After this injection I’ll see how it goes in the next few days. Hopefully I will be okay for the Arsenal game.

"It had been pre-agreed with the FA and my club to get an injection after the game. I will receive some treatment back at the club and go from there."

"

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Sterling Out vs. Italy

Wednesday, March 25 

John Cross of the Daily Mirror provided news of the winger's expected absence for Tuesday's international encounter:

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Raheem Sterling will be allowed to go back to Liverpool after England's Euro 2016 qualifier with Lithuania on Friday.

England boss Roy Hodgson is understood to have agreed to let Sterling miss the friendly in Italy next Tuesday to avoid potential burnout fears.

[...] Hodgson confirmed he will have to leave some players at home, with Sterling certain to miss out on Italy because of a toe injury.

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Manager Brendan Rodgers has tried to manage Sterling's fitness this season and is conscious of not overplaying the 20-year-old. The electric forward previously sat out of the Reds' 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur after picking up a "knock," as reported by Jack De Menezes of The Independent.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

He also spent time refreshing in Jamaica throughout January, a holiday which was followed with an excellent turn of form upon his return.

However, Sterling's standard has dropped in recent weeks, most notably during the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield, where the speedster was largely anonymous.

Liverpool have a potentially season-defining trip to Arsenal on the agenda after the international break, and Rodgers will be desperate to have Sterling fit and firing.