Daniel Sturridge pulls out of Perth Glory game because he got cramp after a FOUR-HOUR flight

Daniel Sturridge is forced to pull out of Perth Glory’s clash with Western United because he got cramp after the team’s FOUR-HOUR flight to Melbourne, the Australian side’s owner reveals

  • Daniel Sturridge pulled out from Perth Glory’s game after suffering cramp on a four-hour flight
  • The ex-Liverpool and England striker said he was still getting used to the travel
  • Perth Glory owner Tony Sage revealed Sturridge ‘didn’t feel he could contribute’ 


Daniel Sturridge’s career at Perth Glory took an unexpected turn as the ex-England forward pulled out of his side’s game against Western United after suffering cramp from the four-hour flight to the match. 

Perth Glory are based in the state of Western Australia, and it is a short hop across the vast country to play away at Western United in Melbourne. 

But having landed in Australia’s second city, Sturridge then made himself unavailable for selection because he was struggling to acclimatise after the flight, Perth Glory owner Tony Sage has revealed.

Daniel Sturridge pulled out of a Perth Glory match due to getting cramp after a four-hour flight

‘Look, a lot of consultation goes ahead, and when I saw the team sheet I made the call to sound out why (Sturridge was left off),’ Sage told SEN, who expressed surprise that the former Liverpool striker wasn’t in the squad. 

‘After a talk between the two – the player and the coach – he didn’t feel he could contribute.

‘Richie (Richard Garcia, Perth’s manager) said it in the post-match, he’s not used to a four-hour flight to a game. He’s just not used to it.’

Sturridge joined Perth Glory in October and has so far played five minutes in their opening game

Sturridge joined Perth Glory in October and has so far played five minutes in their opening game

Sage’s comments over Sturridge being unused to such flights seem at odds with the many plane journeys the 32-year-old has taken over his illustrious career in the Premier League and with the England national side. 

But Sage said Sturridge was ‘a little bit crampy’ post-flight and couldn’t perform. 

‘When they did their walk and that he didn’t feel comfortable when they did the team walk,’ Sage said. 

‘So, he went up to Richie and said, “Look, I might not be ready this week”.’

Sturridge’s arrival was a huge coup for Perth, though he hadn’t played football in 19 months

Sturridge signed for Perth on a free transfer in October, having been without a club since leaving Turkish side Trabzonspor early in March 2020. He was handed a four month ban for breaching betting regulations.

So far he has only made a five-minute cameo off the bench in Perth’s 1-1 draw against Adelaide United last weekend, and Sage is aware that Sturridge is working his way back to full fitness after such a long time away from football.   

‘He’s got a full week of training now in Melbourne with the squad, no distractions and I think you’ll see he’ll get at least 10-15 minutes next week building up,’ Sage said.

‘I think you’ll see him start by the time he gets back here (to Perth).’