Roy Hodgson: 'Raheem Sterling deserves opportunity'

Roy Hodgson has denied calling Jamaican-born winger Raheem Sterling into his England squad simply to declare him for the Three Lions.

It has been reported that the Caribbean nation was trying to persuade the Liverpool winger to play for the country of his birth, despite representing England from Under-16 to Under-21 level.

However, the 17-year-old will join up with Hodgson's squad for next week's friendly with Sweden.

The 65-year-old said that Sterling is fully deserving of his chance following a promising start to his career in a red shirt.

"He's in the squad on merit and because I think he's done extremely well for Liverpool," said Hodgson.

"He burst onto the scene at the start of the season and has been ever-present in the Liverpool team in recent games, playing a very exciting part.

"It has nothing to do with him being courted by anybody else. My views on that subject are clear, as far as I'm concerned a player should have the right to choose who he wants to play for."

Sterling has started nine Premier League games for Liverpool this season.