Rodgers warns Hodgson on Sturridge

Posted Thursday, October 02, 2014 by Foxsports.com

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes striker Daniel Sturridge is not fit enough to play for England in their upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers later this month.

The 25-year-old is currently sidelined with a thigh strain injury and subsequently did not travel to Basle for the Reds' Champions League Group B match on Wednesday night.

The England international has missed five matches with the problem and - while he is edging closer a return - he will not be risked for his side's second group match and he
was not on the team flight which left Liverpool on Tuesday lunchtime.

Rodgers confirmed that although Sturridge may take part in the Reds' home Barclays Premier League clash against West Brom on Saturday, he would not be classed fit to play in England's two qualifiers against San Marino on October 9 and three days later against Estonia.

He told reporters: "He won't be fit to play for England whether he's available for the weekend or not.

"I don't think he's fit to play for England. We're hoping he can develop over the next 48 hours to be in a position to train with the team on Thursday and maybe be available for the squad on Saturday.

"But if we're talking about players being picked for international duty then they need to be fit and play and Daniel certainly won't be fit."

England won the first match in their Group E qualifying group against Switzerland last month.