Raheem Sterling: I will play anywhere Roy Hodgson wants me to

England’s Raheem Sterling (L) with Wayne Rooney

England and Liverpool star Raheem Sterling admits he will play anywhere manager Roy Hodgson wants him to, ahead of the clash with Uruguay on Thursday evening.

The Liverpool man shone during England’s draw with Italy on Saturday and in the number 10 position the 19-year-old excelled. Wayne Rooney was lambasted by many for failing to turn up, but many pointed to the fact Sterling started in Rooney’s more favoured central position. Sterling was so effective in a central role for Liverpool last season that Roy Hodgson wanted him to replicate that form in an England shirt at the World Cup, which he did with aplomb.

Sterling, who admitted he can learn plenty from Wayne Rooney, is eager to play for England but does not mind where Roy Hodgson deploys the teenager in the starting XI.

Sterling told reporters: “I would be happy to play anywhere the manager puts me. I am a team player. I will be working for the team regardless of which position I play in. We have been working really hard to try to do some interchanging with the positions.

“But I don’t think Wayne or anyone else has been moved to the side for me. I just think that the manager thought at the time that was the best thing to do.

“I don’t think the team was built around me necessarily. I just think the manager thought that was the right position for me at the time, with my pressing and my closing down. I don’t think he changed anything for me.

“For me, to play in the same team as Wayne Rooney is a real honour. To have someone like that to look up to is great.

“With his vision and his passing ability and my running ability, that could be a really good thing, but it’s up to the manager to decide how to play.”

Sterling and England go into their clash with Uruguay knowing that a loss could see them exit the competition in the group stages.

Raheem Sterling had a 91% pass accuracy in England’s game against Italy on Saturday.