Roy offers advice to Sterling

11 September 2012 06:57
England boss Roy Hodgson has warned Raheem Sterling to ignore the hype and concentrate on getting into his squad on merit. After consulting with Sterling's club boss at Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers, Hodgson drafted the 17-year-old into the squad for Tuesday night's World Cup qualifier with Ukraine at Wembley following a spate of withdrawals.

He is acutely aware of the attention that will follow given Sterling's age and the fact he has only made seven senior appearances for the Merseyside giants. "When you bring in a young player who has only burst on to the scene in the last couple of games, I'm causing headlines to be written," said Hodgson. "I understand and take that responsibility.

"I've spoken to Brendan Rodgers and explained the thinking behind him coming in. I'll also make it clear to Raheem. "He will be pretty lucky to get close to the field because there were plenty of players who were chosen in front of him. "I can only hope he takes it in the right way. He mustn't think he's become part of the set-up and has made it. "He has to try, next time, to make sure he is one of the original 23."

Source: team_talk