THESE days, Daniel Sturridge is a household name feared by European defences the world over.

But when he arrived at Bolton Wanderers in January 2011 there was a genuine concern he could be a talent going to waste on the subs bench at Stamford Bridge.

Then 21, a controversial move from Manchester City had not quite worked out as planned and the youngster struggled to get ahead of senior strikers like Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou.

Refuge was sought at the (then) Reebok. Owen Coyle’s team were struggling in the New Year and needed a spark, and my how they got one.

Sturridge scored eight goals in 12 appearances and even picked up a red card in his final appearance – against another former club in Manchester City, no less – to complete the set.

But that was the only indiscretion in a loan spell which proved to everyone in this neck of the woods that rumours of ego and attitude which had followed him from West London were well wide of the mark.

“He’s a fantastic player,” remarked Neil Lennon yesterday. “I think if you asked any Bolton fan about his time here and he’d be very fondly remembered.

“I was talking to Phil [Gartside] the other day about him and he said he was absolutely brilliant here.

“He’s always been a talent but I think Brendan is getting the best out of him now.”

Nicknamed “Studge” by the Bolton camp and thrust out immediately into the community in his first couple of weeks for public appearances, a spell at Bolton might well have been the making of the man.

Sturridge refused to celebrate after scoring against Bolton for Chelsea the following season and the respect Wanderers fans still have for him was evident at Anfield when the 5,500 travelling support gave him a standing ovation as he walked to his seat.

After returning from injury, the England international will now be a problem Lennon has to face tonight at the Macron.

“There's a maturity about Daniel,” said the Wanderers boss. “He will have been champing at the bit because the injury came at a really bad time for him.

“So to see him back and scoring is great news for Liverpool and not so great for us.”

Brendan Rodgers made no secret of the fact Sturridge’s return has come at an excellent time for the Reds.

While the league title seems out of sight, his pace and movement up front allows the Reds boss to name a more fluid attacking line-up.

And the lack of punch which was so evident in the first game at Anfield may also be solved by his return.

“He is a genuine, top European talent and if you get Daniel Sturridge on the field everyone knows about his pace and that will always frighten teams,” said the Liverpool boss.

“He lights up this team. He provides the light for this team. When you add a top-class player like him to it you can go to another level.”