Daniel Sturridge is paying little attention to rumours suggesting he is to take Wayne Rooney's place at Euro 2012, but admits he is keen to go.
Chelsea striker expects Utd ace to be included in Euro 2012 squad
Daniel Sturridge is paying little attention to rumours suggesting he is to take Wayne Rooney's place at Euro 2012, but admits he is keen to go.
Debate continues to rage regarding Rooney's involvement at next summer's European Championships as he is set to serve a three-match ban.
That suspension will keep him sidelined for the group stage, while Fabio Capello has vowed not to select the Manchester United striker for England's pre-tournament friendlies.
The question now is who will cover for Rooney in his absence and will he make the plane to Ukraine and Poland?
In-form Chelsea forward Sturridge believes it would be foolish to leave such a talismanic figure behind and, for that reason, is refusing to be drawn into the debate regarding who could replace him.
He said: "I think Rooney's going to go regardless because he's the best striker. He's one of the world's best strikers.
Form
"I don't think, for myself, I've ever thought I'm going to go because Rooney's not going, or anything like that.
"He's been doing it week in, week out at one of the biggest clubs in the world."
There is a chance that Rooney will appeal the length of his ban, but England will still need someone to step in for the start of Euro 2012.
Sturridge added: "If that person's me then it will be great, but I don't know.
"If my form's good enough to actually get me in the team, that would be fantastic - it would be a dream come true.
"But I can't think I'm going to get in there or think I'm going to be selected because I haven't been selected for any of the squads yet.
"I'd never be stupid enough to assume I'm going to be the guy who's starting in the Euros."
Performing
Calls for Sturridge to be included in England's next squad are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, with a goal in Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Everton on Saturday taking him onto four for the season.
His manager at club level, Andre Villas-Boas, is adamant that the 22-year-old is ready to make the step up into the senior international fold and believes now is the time to unleash his potential.
The Portuguese tactician said: "I don't want to influence any kind of decision but, eventually, any English player who is performing can get a call-up for the national team.
"He was pre-selected (for the Montenegro game), eventually he was not selected for the final squad, but that means that he is close and that it can happen for him."
He added: "He plays for a top club in the world so I don't see any reason why not."
