Gerrard endorses Sterling selection

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool team-mate Raheem Sterling is deserving of his first senior England call-up.

Sterling was added to Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the World Cup qualifier at home to Ukraine on Tuesday following the withdrawal of Theo Walcott due to illness.

Adam Lallana of Southampton and Tottenham’s Jake Livermore have also been brought in for the match at Wembley Stadium.

While expressing his support for Hodgson’s decision, Gerrard stressed the importance of not putting too much pressure on the 17-year-old Sterling and other young members of the squad.

“I think he (Sterling) deserves this call-up,” Gerrard said.

“The impact he’s made has been sensational really, he’s been one of our (Liverpool’s) shining lights.

“The results that we’ve had so far this season haven’t been good enough but he’s stood up and been really good.

“I think the important thing now is that he keeps his feet on the ground, keeps learning, and keeps trying to find a consistency in his game, but it won’t be very long before he’s in the set-up for real as a regular because he is that kind of talent.”

Gerrard called for supporters and the media to keep their expectations in check regarding exciting young talent like Sterling and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“These young lads are fantastic talents, I think the important thing is that (the media) are patient with them as well and we don’t try and rush them,” he said.

“They’ve got a lot of tools to go on and become fantastic England players but let’s not bill them up and put too much pressure on them.

“Let them just progress and become good players naturally, I’m certainly enjoying being captain and looking after them.”