England manager Roy Hodgson has insisted that winger Raheem Sterling is a "different" player to the one that made his debut for Liverpool as a 15-year-old.
Hodgson, who had a six-month spell in charge of Liverpool, handed Sterling his first club appearance in a friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach, and after Sterling starred for England against Denmark on Wednesday, the Three Lions coach has admitted that he has been impressed with his development.
The former Reds boss is quoted by Sporting Life as saying: "When I gave him his debut, he had incredible balance, but when he was a 15-year-old and he was playing against men, sometimes he could get knocked off the ball.
"It has taken him a couple of years but now he has built up that strength and nous. Now you see something quite different. He's a player who you would do well not to misjudge in terms of his strength.
"He still has the balance and strength to go by people but don't think you will bully him and knock him off the ball."
Sterling has moved into contention for a place in England's World Cup squad after netting seven times in 27 matches this season.
Darren Plant
