Saturday 18 June 2016 07:27, UK
Roy Hodgson has described Daniel Sturridge as a "special player" and hopes the England striker will prove key to his country for the rest of Euro 2016.
Sturridge was reduced to a watching brief as the Group B opener against Russia finished 1-1. With England trailing at half-time against Wales, the 26-year-old was introduced for the second half along with Jamie Vardy.
The half-time lead given to Chris Coleman's men by Gareth Bale's 35-yard free-kick was wiped out shortly after the restart by Vardy before Sturridge slotted home a memorable stoppage-time winner.
England's 2-1 victory in Lens means progress to the knockout stages will be assured if they can secure a point from their final group game against Slovakia and Hodgson was quick to praise the Liverpool forward, who allayed doubts about his calf problem with his performance against Wales.
"He's a special player, there's no doubt about that," said Hodgson.
"Since he's got back from that injury situation, he did have a very settled period of play when he played on a regular basis and he just picked up that injury in the Europa League final.
"But I'm pleased for him because [when] he had that injury, there was speculation, and questions if he was the right player to be in the 23 - should he go? - and I'm delighted that I showed confidence in him because he has not let me down very often."
Sturridge and Vardy are part of a bold, attack-minded squad, giving Hodgson a variety of options in France.
Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane have so far struggled to find their feet in a front three in which Adam Lallana has impressed, with the England manager's half-time changes perhaps showing the way forward for his side in the tournament.
"Harry and Raheem did well enough against Russia, we played very, very well, but in the first half [against Wales] they showed signs of wear and tear having played that game, so it was quite an easy decision at half-time to change it," added Hodgson.
"We've taken a lot of attacking players with us on this occasion, so the options are there.
"I'm looking behind me on the bench and thinking, 'Who do I want? Do I want Sturridge on? Vardy? Rashford?'
"Can I bring someone on in midfield to manipulate the ball, etc, which I'm hoping in the future could be very useful for us going further in the tournament?'"
Lallana was also keen to praise Liverpool teammate Sturridge and feels he is finally beginning to put his fitness problems behind him.
"It's difficult for anyone when you have faced a lot of injuries but that was the fittest I have seen him for a while, even including towards the back end of the season for Liverpool," said Lallana.
"He just seems to be getting fitter and fitter and he was looking very dangerous against Wales, which is great for us."
Sturridge's impressive display from the bench provided a strong argument for a return to Hodgson's starting XI in their final Group B match against Slovakia on Monday but the player himself insists questions of selection are not his concern.
"It is the manager's decision to choose the team and pick whatever team he feels is best," he said.
"I will just go out on the training pitch and try and give my best. The competition for places is just like it is at club level and we are all helping each other to perform as well as we can."
