Roy Hodgson: Vows to get the best out of Raheem Sterling

Roy Hodgson has no plans to rest midfielder Raheem Sterling for England's game away to Estonia on Sunday, despite concerns from Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers over the player’s workload.

The 19-year-old played just 45 minutes of England’s 5-0 win over San Marino on Thursday night as he and fellow Reds midfielder Jordan Henderson were taken off at half-time.

But the England manager is aware that Sterling is still developing and he aims to do everything he can to help the player deal with the pressure that comes with being a star for club and country.

Conscious

"We are conscious of managing the situation," Hodgson said.

When he (Sterling) shows signs of not being quite as sharp, not doing as well, trying too hard, that might be the moment we think we have to manage this and give him a break. Roy Hodgson

"When he shows signs of not being quite as sharp, not doing as well, trying too hard, that might be the moment we think we have to manage this and give him a break.

"I don't think the situation will need managing until he shows signs of suffering from it. But that is not the case at the moment and I don't think Liverpool need to worry.

"In the first half against San Marino, he was as lively as he could have been.

"At half-time, I said 'I am taking you two off' (to Sterling and Jordan Henderson) and they looked at me like 'don't do that - we want to stay on' and that is quite nice."

Rodgers was critical of how England managed Daniel Sturridge when training for the win over Switzerland last month.

The striker suffered a thigh strain which Rodgers called “an injury that could have been prevented” and has yet to return to competitive action.

The Liverpool boss, whose team got their first win in four Premier League matches against West Brom last week, is keen to see his other England stars avoid a similar fate.

Rodgers said: "It is human nature there will come periods when they need the rest.

"I would think that Roy and his staff would have a look at things."

Satisfaction

Injury concerns aside, Hodgson revealed he is enjoying working with the younger players in the England set-up and the 67-year-old is very excited about the team’s potential.

Jamie Redknapp on Estonia v England Jamie Redknapp on Estonia v England

"This team is mostly 21 or 22," Hodgson said. "And people will tell me people don't reach their best until they are 27 or 28 realistically.

"I am enjoying the moment where they gain experience and they are providing a lot of things which give us a lot of satisfaction.

"It is something which has happened and I have been lucky enough to be there when it happened.

“And I suppose I am bright enough to realise that I don't have to hang my hat on 30-year-olds if these guys are that good."

England take on Estonia this Sunday just 72 hours after the win over San Marino, but Hodgson is sure his team will be ready for the test in Tallinn.

"We won't have much turnaround time, but neither have Estonia," Hodgson said.

"The result against San Marino was good and we have to make certain people are aware against Estonia that we must not let anything slip."