Football
PA Sport 8y

Man City's Raheem Sterling: 'I never said I didn't want to play' for England

Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling has dismissed claims that he did not want to play for England in a Euro 2016 qualifier last year because he was too tired.

Manager Roy Hodgson revealed that Sterling told him he was fatigued ahead of the final training session in the build-up to England's game against Estonia in Tallinn 12 months ago.

Sterling did not start the Group E encounter but came on as a second-half substitute as Wayne Rooney's late free kick proved enough to earn England a 1-0 victory.

Sterling's bit-part role led to accusations that the then-Liverpool forward had said he did not want to play, but he insists nothing could be further from the truth.

"That was so crazy I don't think that could happen again, for anyone," the 20-year-old, who has 17 international caps, told the Guardian. "The manager asked me a question and, being the person I am, I answered honestly. He asked me how I was feeling and I said I was OK but 'my legs do feel a bit tired.'

"I never once said: 'I don't want to play' or anything like that. He just asked me a general question and I was honest. I didn't lie and say: 'Oh yes, I feel 100 percent,' but at the same time I never said I didn't want to play.

"Obviously, the manager changed his mind about me playing and probably based it on that conversation but I was just being honest."

One of Sterling's tattoos is of Wembley Park tube station, the area where he grew up and played for Queens Park Rangers as a young footballer before being signed by Liverpool.

"Going back there now with England is so weird," he added. "We're heading into the stadium on the coach and I'm looking out of the window, passing where my friends live. I can see the car park where I used to ride my bike, the areas where I played football, and where we used to go rollerblading every weekend. It's just really strange."

Sterling joined Man City from Liverpool in the summer for an initial fee of £44 million -- rising to £49m with add-ons. And he says he noticed the difference in the approach to training by coach Manuel Pellegrini instantly.

"The tempo, the passing, the two-touch movement in training; it's really surprised me," he said. "It's really sharp, really good to be involved in. There are more experienced players here.

"Obviously, Liverpool had many great players as well but the players here have been at the highest level for many years and you can definitely see that on the training pitch."

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