Sturridge relishing Bridge return

Published May. 12, 2011 3:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

Sturridge has hit seven goals in 10 appearances since joining the Trotters on loan in January and is expected to challenge for a first-team place at Stamford Bridge next season. "It's been a good period for me so far playing for Bolton, so it's superb for my career and it's helped me become a better player, hopefully for Chelsea's benefit," Sturridge told Chelsea's official website. "It's great to have this opportunity and it has been good to show Chelsea what I am all about," he continued. "It was difficult for me not starting as many games as I'd have liked, as a young player with a lot of pressure you have to take the opportunities that are in front of you. "If you don't, people will say you're not ready, but I think I've always been ready. "Hopefully next season the manager will see me working hard and give me the opportunities to play games as a striker. That's where I love to play." Sturridge added: "I am looking forward to coming back down next season and trying to win a place. "I have had a few texts here and there, especially after scoring against Arsenal, but I've been trying to keep my head down and work as hard as I can for Bolton, so that when I do come back to Chelsea I will be ready for every challenge that is in front of me." Sturridge, signed from Manchester City in July 2009, for an initial £3.5million fee which was settled by tribunal, is set to feature for England Under-21s this summer. While he would love to return to Stamford Bridge in August, he understands a loan move could be beneficial in the long-term. "I love playing for Chelsea, and I don't want to be anywhere else, but if I need to play somewhere else on loan again next season I will do," he said. "But my main aim is to fight for my place at Chelsea and begin starting games regularly in the first team as opposed to sitting on the bench."