Daniel Sturridge gets nod over Jamie Vardy as England recall five to face Iceland
Boss Roy Hodgson goes for Liverpool ace on the left, Adam Lallana on the right...and unlucky Vardy on the bench
DANIEL STURRIDGE is set to get the nod ahead of Jamie Vardy against Iceland.
Striker Sturridge yesterday trained in a team which featured both he and Adam Lallana behind Harry Kane.
England manager Roy Hodgson has been trying to find the right combination for tomorrow’s last-16 clash and plans to recall five players rested in the 0-0 draw with Slovakia.
In attack, that means Leicester star Vardy on the bench — with Liverpool pair Sturridge playing on the left and Lallana on the right in Nice.
Hodgson said: “Adam has been playing well. He plays an important part in our team set-up.”
And Hodgson is also expected to recall Kyle Walker and Danny Rose at full-back to replace Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand.
Clyne had heavy strapping on his knee yesterday but has been passed fit and should be available.
In midfield, Wayne Rooney and Dele Alli are set to return to the starting line-up with Eric Dier anchoring.
Sturridge is effectively replacing his old Kop team-mate Sterling but has spoken to the Manchester City star about getting his confidence back.
He said: “I believe he can and one day he will be one of the best in the world as he has all the tools.
“I told him that after training when he was working on free-kicks.
“Confidence is this thing that you have to overcome at times as you go through different phases in your life and career, and he is young, he is 21 years old, growing up and still finding himself.
“People have to understand he is one of the most talented players in the world.
“He is an English player and we have to groom him, we have to nurture him, we have to help him become one of the best players in the world.”
England: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Rooney, Dier, Alli; Lallana, Kane, Sturridge.