Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is keen for striker Daniel Sturridge to play a leading role for England at Euro 2016 this summer.
Sturridge played for an hour against the Netherlands in midweek and is vying for a starting place against the likes of Leicester's Jamie Vardy and Tottenham's Harry Kane, who he goes head-to-head with at Anfield on Saturday Night Football, live and exclusive on Sky Sports 1.
The 26-year-old has endured a stop-start season due to injury problems but Klopp would not deny the striker his chance at a major tournament in exchange for a summer off to recuperate.
"There are a lot of good strikers in England so congratulations for that," Klopp told reporters.
"If I say I wish Daniel could have a real holiday and doesn't have to go to the European Championships, what kind of manager would I be?
"It is the European Championships and playing for your country is the best thing a player can do, and I really wish for him to be part of it.
"The situation here is the best situation since I have been here; he trained all sessions with the national team, he had 65 minutes against Netherlands and was absolutely okay.
"He is very important for us and hopefully he is fit until the end of the season and then I cannot make decisions for Roy Hodgson - that is his problem.
"But the better we play, together with him, the better the chances for our players to be part of a big tournament."