Sterling called up to England squad

Raheem Sterling, Jake Livermore and Adam Lallana have been called up to the England squad for the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has left the national team camp due to illness, while Daniel Sturridge sat out training on Monday with stomach cramps.

While Walcott has pulled out entirely, Chelsea forward Sturridge is expected to be fit for the match at home to Ukraine on Tuesday.

England manager Roy Hodgson had already lost fullback Ashley Cole and winger Stewart Downing to injury, while John Terry has been sidelined by the ankle knock he suffered in England’s 5-0 win away to Moldova on Friday.

Centre-forward Andy Carroll – on loan at West Ham United from Liverpool – was named in the original squad before suffering a hamstring strain against Fulham.

Those withdrawals have prompted the inclusion of Tottenham midfielder Livermore, Southampton forward Lallana and Sterling, who has impressed since making his Liverpool debut under Brendan Rodgers this season.

The decision to include Kingston-born Sterling may be seen as an attempt to ward off the interest of the Jamaica national team.