England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has insisted that it is up to teammate Daniel Sturridge to get himself fit for the Three Lions.
The 24-year-old, who picked up an ankle injury during his first England start in May, was ruled out of his nation's World Cup qualifiers with a thigh problem.
However, just days after Roy Hodgson's men took to the field, Sturridge is expected to be fit for Liverpool's Premier League clash against Swansea City on Monday evening.
"It's down to Daniel to get himself fit and available," The Express quotes Gerrard as saying. "The manager has picked him quite a few times now and he hasn't been available. Everyone is waiting.
"The stage is set for Daniel, who is in terrific form. He needs to get himself fit, but don't forget Wayne Rooney, either."
Sturridge was forced to defend comments that he made this week suggesting that he is more concerned with being fit for Liverpool than his country.
Danielle Joynson
