Hodgson tells Rooney, Sturridge and Kane they will have to fight it out

With Sturridge finally coming back to fitness after only two months of playing time in the last year, the England manager is eagerly anticipating bringing him back for the friendly matches against Spain and France next month.

The Liverpool forward hasn’t played for England since the friendly game against Norway in September 2014, missing the entire qualifying campaign, but with Rooney’s form faltering, he would be in a great position to resume as Hodgson’s centre forward if he can return to the form of the 2013-14 season.

Sturridge’s form meant Rooney played on the left wing for the first the game in the ill-fated World Cup campaign against Italy and he appears to have the opportunity to supplant the England captain again.

Sturridge will feature against Spain and France, fitness permitting, and Hodgson is not prepared to back Rooney, Sturridge or Kane as first choice at the moment.

‘It would be ridiculous to say at the moment anyone is No.1,’ said the England manager. ‘For Daniel, we haven’t seen him for well over a year.

‘I’m not prepared at the moment to say Daniel’s No.1 or Rooney’s No.1 or Kane’s No.1. Everyone is in competition. I’m delighted Daniel is back fit and playing.

‘I know, he knows and Liverpool know that there is a bit of work for him to do because he hasn't been back for such a long time and even when you regain fitness, you don’t regain match fitness fully until you get a few matches under your belt.

‘But we’re really pleased that he is back playing and we’re expecting him to be the player he was when we selected him and believed so much in before the World Cup.

‘I don’t think anyone would deny that Daniel Sturridge is an extremely gifted played. and in particular an extremely gifted goalscorer, because he doesn’t need too many chances to score goals.

‘I would like him back for the next games and I have told him that. There is no secret there. 

(dailymail.co.uk)