STURRIDGE LEFT OUT

England manager Roy Hodgson will not be selecting Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifying matches against Estonia and San Marino, but the former Liverpool boss has denied suggestions that this decision has been based because of the pressure from Brendan Rodgers. The current Liverpool manager is reportedly concerned about the fitness of Sturridge, who has played only three Premier league matches since the start of the season. The return of the 25-year-old is vital for Liverpool and their ambitions of remaining in the Champions League.

Sturridge’s first major injury concern this season came when he was with the England national team during the first international break. Since then, he has already missed several matches, but a setback in recent weeks has pushed his return date further. It is now looking likely that he will be fit in time for the matches against San Marino and Estonia, but Hodgson will not be taking him as a precaution. Hodgson has rejected suggestions that he has decided to omit the striker due to pressure from Rodgers. Rodgers also hinted that the training methods of England were dangerous. Hodgson did not take long to hit back at him on this regard as well.

“The interesting thing for the session where Daniel got injured is that he was quite keen to take part because he was such an important part of it, and we were trying to develop a new system of play. He was the forward who understood it best. He was more than happy to come in and help us to get our points over. I understand Brendan being unhappy. We are never happy when we send a player back injured, but we do our best,” said Hodgson. England are top of their group with nine points from the opening three matches.