Joe Hart says Manchester City teammate Raheem Sterling has nothing to prove at this summer's European Championship despite a mixed debut season at the Etihad Stadium.
The City pair will be part of the England squad heading to France as Roy Hodgson's side aim to end a 50-year wait for success. While Hart is almost certain to play the opening fixture against Russia in Marseille on Jun. 11, Sterling faces a fight for a starting place in the England midfield after struggling for form in the second half of the season at City.
The 21-year-old began well at City after his controversial £44m move from Liverpool -- scoring 11 times for Manuel Pellegrini's side, including his first ever hat-trick against Bournemouth.
However, he lost some form and started just one of City's final 12 games of the season -- including the run to the Champions League semifinal after injuring his groin in the defeat at home to Manchester United.
But Hart believes a fresh Sterling has the potential to be a key player for England at Euro 2016.
"It's definitely a bonus -- a fit and firing Raheem Sterling can change games," said the keeper. "He's got no point to prove Raheem.
"I see Raheem work hard every day trying to improve. He's 21, he's fully aware of that and he's going to get better. And he's excited.
"He's an exciting footballer, someone I enjoy working with and I really want to do well."
Sterling and Hart both started England's 2-1 victory over Turkey last Sunday at the Etihad and the England No. 1 was full of praise for his teammate.
"He was really good [against Turkey]. He got kicked to pieces because they couldn't deal with him, simple as that," added Hart.
"I think maybe in a [European] Championship game a few of them would have been walking a lot tighter rope than they did. But it was good. I was excited to see it.
"It was tough for Raheem towards the end of the season, he wasn't starting games. That's gone. It's a fresh chapter."
Hart says that England have to believe that they can win the European Championships and as one of the more senior members of the squad -- with 58 caps to his name -- the 29-year-old is ready to help a relatively inexperienced squad.
"The past is the past it's what's going to put us in the best situation to try and win this tournament," he said. "Of course, there's no point going otherwise. But that's my mindset, I go in to win every game.
"Obviously I'm realistic that that's not necessarily going to happen, you can't win every single game you play but we're going to reach for the stars with this team, we're going to work hard and make that a realistic goal.
"I've got a role whether we're playing with John Terry or John Stones starting his international career. I'm going to always try to fulfil my role in the team but I trust every single one of these players at this level. They've proved it at their Premier League sides and they deserve to be in the squad."