Daniel Sturridge has said he believes his persistent injury problems could be hereditary as he faces several more weeks out with a calf strain.

Sturridge has not featured for club or country since suffering a thigh injury in England training at the beginning of September.

His uncles, Dean and Simon, were both professional footballers, while his father was a trainee at Birmingham, and he believes his current injury problems could be due to his genes.

"I play my game as best I can, but I've been unfortunate this season," he told talkSPORT. "Maybe it's my body type -- maybe it's hereditary.

"Both my uncles had injuries, and my dad had them as well. Maybe it's the Caribbean vibes, maybe I have speed but maybe it makes you more vulnerable because of the fast twitch muscles and the speed at which you're moving.

"I am vulnerable to muscle injuries. As long as I continue to work hard, everything will take care of itself."