The Liverpool midfielder sustained a knee ligament injury in the Champions League semi-final tie with AS Roma at Anfield last April and only rejoined first-team sessions during February's training camp in Marbella.
But now the 25-year-old is set to ramp up his rehabilitation with a run out in the U23s’ fixture with Derby County on Friday - and Sturridge admits it's great to see his teammate making such positive progress in his comeback.
"He's been missed," Sturridge said on the latest episode of LFC Later. "I love that guy!