England manager Roy Hodgson is to decide whether to call up Daniel Sturridge against Liverpool’s will.

A key figure for club and country, the 25-year-old has missed five matches with a thigh strain suffered on England duty last month.

It is an injury which means Sturridge was not risked in Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Basle last night, although there is potential for a return against West Bromwich on Saturday.

That would seemingly open the door to an England call-up for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers with San Marino and Estonia – something Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says should be out of the question.

“He won’t be fit to play for England whether he’s available for the weekend or not,” Rodgers said.

“I don’t think he’s fit to play for England. We’re hoping he can develop over the next 48 hours to be in a position to train with the team and maybe be available for the squad on Saturday.”