Star striker Daniel Sturridge remains on the sidelines for Perth Glory

Perth Glory will again be without former Liverpool striker whe they meet Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Wednesday night.

Daniel Sturridge is being carefully manager by Perth Glory coach Richard Garcia. Picture: TREVOR COLLENS / AFP

Perth Glory won’t be calling on former Liverpool star Daniel Sturridge in its bid to beat A-League champions Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Wednesday night.

Sturridge, the competition’s prized off-season recruit, will miss a third straight Glory match, as Perth coach Richard Garcia takes no risks with the ex-England international striker.

Sturridge came out of quarantine only a week before the start of the season and was only given a few minutes’ game time in Glory’s first-round 1-1 draw with Adelaide United at HBF Park.

He hasn’t played since, with Garcia saying Sturridge was building up his fitness.

“He’s been doing well this week – he’s been put through his paces,” the Glory mentor said.

“I’m looking forward to him finding his feet within the team.”

Garcia said Sturridge was likely to get some game time when the Glory meets the Roar at Moreton Daily Stadium on December 18.

“We’re hoping that we build him up to the full 90 minutes mid-January,” he said.

Daniel Sturridge has only played a few minutes for Perth Glory this season. Picture: TREVOR COLLENS / AFP

Without Sturridge, Glory beat Melbourne Victory 3-0 at AAMI Park on Sunday.

In contrast, Melbourne City suffered a shock 1-0 weekend home loss to Western United.

City’s feared front three of Jamie Maclaren, Mat Leckie and Andrew Nabbout have yet to fully fire as a unit, but coach Patrick Kisnorbo isn’t concerned.

“Things take time – sometimes you need to be patient,” Kisnorbo said.

“There’s no expectation on that front three at all from me. All I expect is for them to train hard.

“I believe in every player that we have here, and one thing that I will do, I’ll stand by them and give them time.

“We’ve had a lack of games leading up to the season, where you’d like a few more games.

“It’s just getting in the rhythm that we want and sometimes things like this happen.”

Originally published as Star striker Daniel Sturridge remains on the sidelines for Perth Glory