Raheem Sterling can become an England regular if he continues to show the appetite he has thus far displayed at Liverpool, according to Steven Gerrard his club, and now international, captain.
Sterling has been called into the England squad for tonight's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine along with the Southampton winger Adam Lallana and the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jake Livermore.
They were drafted in to offset potential further withdrawals with Theo Walcott suffering from illness and Daniel Sturridge laid low with stomach cramps and while none of the replacments are expected to feature, their presence served further notice that Roy Hodgson will not be afraid to bring in young players.
Gerrard does not want too much pressure to be placed on the 17-year-old Sterling's shoulders so that he can be allowed to develop.
"It is great for him to be called up and get a feel for the senior group because it won't be too long before he becomes a regular in this group, said Gerrard. "He is that good. He is a mature 17-year-old. He is a quiet kid. He works hard and listens and that is the key when you are that age and a good player. Let's be patient with him. Let's not force it and expect too much too soon.
"Let it happen naturally and, in time, we will have a fantastic player for Liverpool and England."
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