Former England defender Sol Campbell has stated his belief that the PFA should protect Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling.

The 20-year-old has been making headlines off the pitch recently, with his contract negotiations at Anfield having broken down and pictures being released of him allegedly inhaling nitrous oxide and smoking a shisha pipe.

Campbell says that Sterling has been treated too harshly by sections of the media, and must not be destroyed.

"He's one of the most talented English players coming out of this country - do not destroy him," Campbell told The Guardian.

"Wayne Rooney did a lot of stuff, he got some flack, but it was almost overlooked: 'Oh, you've been a bad boy, let's overlook it again.' Raheem Sterling is one of the most talented men coming out of this country. Wake up. PFA, wake up, press wake up and protect this boy."

Sterling has won 14 caps for England.