Oft-injured Sturridge back in contention for Merseyside derby

Daniel Sturridge participated in full training for the first time in five weeks Thursday, giving Liverpool hope he will play in the 228th Merseyside derby against Everton.

A virus and then a hip injury sidelined Sturridge for the better part of the past two months, with his last appearance coming in a 2-0 loss to Hull City on Feb. 4.

But pictures at the club's Melwood facility Thursday showed the oft-injured England striker in good spirits:

Liverpool has found a way to score goals in the Premier League without Sturridge in recent fixtures: Sadio Mane banged in three, Georginio Wijnaldum two, and Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can, and James Milner registered one tally apiece. But the 27-year-old's availability should help manager Jurgen Klopp prepare for Everton.

There are doubts, however, that captain Jordan Henderson will recover in time from a foot ailment to feature this weekend. Henderson, who didn't take part in training, has missed Liverpool's past five matches, and Press Association Sport reports he is "unlikely" to be ready for Saturday's marquee matchup.

Firmino and Coutinho returned to Liverpool by way of a private jet, according to reports, after representing their native Brazil in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.

A win in the derby would keep Klopp's men - who currently occupy fourth place - firmly in the race for a Champions League spot.