Sturridge aiming to repay Hodgson faith in England friendly

Nov 12, 2012 6:10:00 PM

The 23-year-old has been out of favour with club side Chelsea this season but earned a call-up for the clash with Sweden ahead of several other in-form forwards

England striker Daniel Sturridge is hoping to repay the faith shown in him by Roy Hodgson when the Three Lions take on Sweden on Wednesday evening.

The 23-year-old has not started a Premier League match since May, with Fernando Torres being favoured in a lone striking berth by Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo.

However, this did not prevent the forward from earning a place in Hodgson's 23-man squad and he is keen to prove himself deserving of a call-up.

“It’s been great to be involved and great for the manager to show a vote of confidence in me to pick me for this friendly,” he told reporters.

“It’s great to be in the position I am now where I am still involved in the England squad even though I am not playing regularly and for the manager to show huge faith me.

"If you are not starting, but you are good enough, the manager will pick you. That is the great thing about the manager.

"If he believes in you and he believes you are good enough, whether you are starting for your club or not, you will get your opportunity.

"I want to thank him for picking me for this squad and hopefully I will be able to repay him."

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