Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has declared that his striker Daniel Sturridge will not be fit to play for England next week, even if he returns to Premier League action this weekend.
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In a controversial move, Rodgers has confirmed that he has asked England boss Roy Hodgson to leave Sturridge out of his squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia, with the outcome of that request certain to be closely monitored by his rival Premier League managers.
Sturridge was injured while training with England last month, with Rodgers subsequently suggesting England's medical staff were partially to blame for the injury as they failed to adhere to the fitness regime the striker has taken on with Liverpool in recent months.
Sturridge has yet to play for Liverpool since picking up the injury, but Rodgers has confirmed he may be in line to play some role in his side's game against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
However, the Liverpool boss appears to be on a collision course with the Football Association after insisting his lead striker should not be available for England's clash against San Marino next Thursday or the game against Estonia three days later as he will not be match fit.
"Daniel won't be fit [for England]. Whether he is available for the weekend or not, he won't be fit," Rodgers told reporters. "We are hoping he can develop over the next 24 hours and train with the team on Thursday and be available for some involvement and be in the squad on Saturday, but if you are talking about players' availability [for international matches], then they need to be fit to play, and Daniel will not be fit to play."
When asked whether he had requested that Hodgson leaves Sturridge out of his next England squad, Rodgers offered this response: "It's something we have already stressed; we will see. My focus is on protecting the Liverpool players and at this moment in time my focus is on getting him fit for Liverpool."
Under strict FIFA regulations, Liverpool will be forced to release Sturridge if he is called up to play for his country, with the FA now in a difficult position, as they will not want to be seen to be bowing down to a top Premier League club by "resting" a player for a competitive international match.
The ill-feeling in the Liverpool camp surrounding Sturridge's injury in the last round of Euro 2016 qualifiers adds to the tension in this stand-off, which will come to a head when Hodgson's selects his next England squad.