Liverpool will take a precautionary approach by easing Daniel Sturridge back into the first-team, manager Brendan Rodgers said on Friday morning.
Last season, the striker's involvement was severely hampered by incessant injuries and he went under the knife on a hip injury back in May in order to seek a long-term solution for the issue.
The 25-year-old returned to training earlier this week, going through a number of drills alone having completed a rehabilitation period with specialists in the United States.
With the target of potentially returning for the short trip to Manchester United in little over two weeks' time, Rodgers said that he doesn't want to put a timeline on the No.15.
The Northern Irishman said that Sturridge, who had been hard at work in America over the last few minutes to regain his fitness, has only just come back and it is "just about him working hard" to get "somewhere near" the level of his team-mates.
He was unwilling to put any time on when Sturridge will again be available for selection, but explained that the Englishman "looks well" and is "really excited and happy to be back" on Merseyside amongst Liverpool's first-team.
Rodgers said the club will review the situation "week on week" before putting a potential date on Sturridge, who twice broke down upon his scheduled return last term, adding that he doesn't want to put "any sort of pressure" on him being back for a specific fixture.
Reds boss says no new injury news ahead of Hammers tie
The Liverpool manager also remains without Joe Allen, who picked up a hamstring injury at the start of the month and suffered an unfortunate setback after it looked likely he would return for Wales' upcoming international games next month.
Elsewhere, Rodgers expects his squad for their clash against West Ham United to be much the same as the crop who were available for Liverpool's 0-0 draw at Arsenal earlier in the week.
He said there are "no great changes" from the squad in place for the last game before suggesting that Lucas Leiva could retain his place in midfield.
The Brazilian came in for injured captain Jordan Henderson and performed well enough to convince the Reds he can be an important member of their squad this season, as they changed their mindset on a possible loan spell away for the 28-year-old.
Rodgers hailed his performance at the Emirates Stadium, saying he came in and "did very well." On his further qualities, he lauded Lucas' "good experience", his reading of the game and his pressing ability - adding that his "performance level was excellent."