Liverpool outcast Daniel Sturridge to be offered World Cup lifeline by Stoke

Mark Hughes is interested in taking the £120,000-a-week star on loan even though injury-prone Sturridge has made just five League starts this season and failed to convince Kop boss Jurgen Klopp he is worth a regular slot.

He has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield and is now 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 his team-mate Danny Ings.

Ings 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 so they 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.

“Players look at us in a different light these days and would like to come here if they feel 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?”

Hughes also admitted he is worried about another Ramadan ding-dong.

Flamboyant Egyptian striker Ramadan Sobhi is upsetting referees with his goal celebrations.

The 20-year-old has sparked Stoke’s surge up the table with two goals in his last two games but has picked up two yellow cards as well after letting his excitement get the better of him.

Ramadan whipped off his shirt after scoring in the 3-1 win over West Brom and was booked. Then he got the equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Huddersfield, kept his shirt on but jumped over the hoardings to celebrate with travelling fans and was shown the yellow card again.

The £5m signing arrived with a reputation for being a showman who sometimes gets carried away. He sparked a 22-man brawl in Egypt when he stood on the ball in the middle of a move playing for Al Ahly.

Hughes says he likes the man from Cairo’s enthusiasm – but not if it keeps getting him in hot water.

“It shows the joy of scoring,” said Hughes. “It’s part of the show so why wouldn’t you do it? But the powers that be frown on it unfortunately.

“You have to be careful because if you do that and then mistime a tackle then you’re at risk. It’s crazy to do it.

“The last time, he jumped over the barrier and he should be aware you’re not allowed to do that.

“Maybe that was his substitute for taking his shirt off and didn’t realise he’d get booked for both!”

Hughes would settle for any kind of goal celebration if his injury-ravaged side can hit the net at Chelsea tomorrow.

Skipper Ryan Shawcross has been ruled out for up to three weeks with a calf injury and fellow central defenders Bruno Martins-Indi and Kurt Zouma also missing.

Zouma is ineligible because he is on loan from the champions and Martins Indi is still out with a groin problem.

Hughes said: “It’s a bit of a crisis. We’re missing a few. Going to Chelsea is difficult enough without those sort of problems but we will go there and give it a go.”