article_snippet: Daniel Sturridge pulled out of the England squad earlier this week with an injury described by Hodgson on Thursday as a ‘small tear’ in a thigh muscle which Daniel Sturridge
article_snippet: The England manager was keen to stress, however, that The England manager considered Raheem Sterling to be among The England manager options up front.
article_snippet: Sterling is expected to start and be released after this game, spared ’s friendly in Italy because Sterling has been nursing a toe injury.
article_snippet: Sterling is carrying a knee problem and is also unlikely to play in both games.
article_snippet: Ryan Bertrand could be called in.
article_snippet: This will count against ’s chances of starting, as will Hodgsondesire to have a genuine striker on the bench, to introduce and lift spirits if all does not go to plan against Lithuania, who will probably operate with limited ambition at Wembley.
article_snippet: Liverpool star Raheem Sterling is expected to start for the Three Lions at Wembley on Friday night .