Brendan Rodgers fires direct warning at Roy Hodgson over England call-up

Daniel Sturridge trained with his Liverpool team-mates today

LIVERPOOL'S Daniel Sturridge will be unable to play in both of England’s Euro 2016 qualifiers if he is named in Roy Hodgson’s squad tomorrow.

The warning came from Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers who said that while he was happy for Sturridge to be called up following his return to fitness, the forward would have to be carefully managed by the national team.
England host Estonia next Friday and then travel to Lithuania the following Monday for a game which will be played on a plastic pitch to add to concerns over Sturridge, who scored twice against Aston Villa last weekend.

The 26-year-old will not be involved in Liverpool’s Europa League tie with Swiss side FC Sion tomorrow with Rodgers insisting they could not risk ‘breaking’ the striker.
“For every player, you have to assess and analyse them individually,” said Rodgers. “Daniel has worked very, very hard and he has got back ahead of schedule.

“We have just got to make sure that we don’t break him at this stage. He is recovering from the game at the weekend and he is still building himself towards fitness.
"But what he gives us is that real quality in the final third. He won’t be involved in the game (against Sion) and that will keep him fresh.
“I haven’t spoken with the FA. I wouldn’t have any concern about him being selected.
"Daniel is back in the fold now and he is obviously one of the top English strikers. If he is back fit and performing, I would expect him to be chosen for the national team.
"But at this moment in time it is about making sure he is fit and ready for Liverpool.”

Liverpool host FC Sion in the Europa League tomorrow night

Manager Brendan Rodgers does not want England to field Sturridge

Asked whether he could play two games in four days, Rodgers said: “Not at the moment, no. The guys with England are intelligent enough and I am sure they understand and will have a little conversation before they meet up.
“I don’t necessarily speak so much with international managers. When players go away, I let them deal with them.
“They are highly-qualified professionals who work at that level. But certainly with Daniel’s case, it is certainly worth me noting to the FA about where he is at in this period of his fitness.

“I suspect that he is a player who is coming back and Roy and his staff are intelligent enough to see that.
"I’m sure him being in the squad, they will manage it accordingly.”
Sturridge has not played for England for more than a year, since breaking down in a training session following a win over Norway in September 2014.