Football
PA Sport 8y

England's Daniel Sturridge has 'minor injury,' reveals Roy Hodgson

England manager Roy Hodgson has called Daniel Sturridge's recent calf issue a "minor injury" and says it won't jeopardise his hopes of a Euro 2016 squad place. 

Liverpool forward Sturridge was not among the substitutes in Friday's 2-1 friendly defeat of Australia, taking his place alongside Football Association staff in the stands, and is expected to train over the weekend.

He is not involved in a straight head-to-head with Marcus Rashford, who scored on his England debut in the win, with Hodgson potentially considering bringing all five strikers.

Assessing Sturridge's status after the match, Hodgson added: "He has a minor injury and we hope it will settle down.

"He'll be throwing his hat into the ring. If it turns out his injury would keep him out the Euros or he would be unfit when we play Russia, that might make a difference.

"But I have no indication the seriousness of the injury is such it is putting his chances in jeopardy at all.''

Hodgson utilised two formations at the Stadium of Light, with Rashford and Sterling atop a diamond in the first 45 minutes and then operating either side of Wayne Rooney after he came from the bench at half-time.

The England captain scored their second, and his 52nd at this level, with a powerful drive in the 55th minute.

The two-goal cushion was halved 15 minutes from time when Eric Dier, operating in the back four after Chris Smalling suffered cramp, stooped in front of Fraser Forster to nod in a clumsy own goal.

Hodgson sees the versatile Tottenham man as cover for his three specialist centre-backs and did not appear overly shaken by his error.

"We wanted to give Eric a bit of a go at centre-back. After his goal tonight I'm tempted to give him a go at centre-forward in the next game,'' he quipped.

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