• World Cup qualifiers

Sterling called up by England

ESPN staff
October 12, 2013
Raheem Sterling has been called up from the England Under-21s to the senior side © PA Photos
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Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has been called up by Roy Hodgson for England's decisive World Cup qualifier against Poland on Tuesday.

Hodgson's 23-man squad was depleted on Friday with Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley suffering a calf injury in training and Kyle Walker picking up a booking in the 4-1 win against Montenegro that will rule him out of the clash with Poland.

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are in the frame to replace Walker at Wembley, with England most likely needing a win to ensure automatic qualification for next summer's finals in Brazil.

Sterling, 18, was part of the Under-21 side that beat San Marino on Thursday. He became the fifth-youngest player in England history when he was handed a place in the starting line-up against Sweden last November.

He has not featured for England since, though he was included in the squad for the win over Moldova and the draw in Ukraine last month.

England lead Group H by a point heading into the final set of fixtures, though with Ukraine facing a trip to minnows San Marino, Hodgson's side will almost certainly need three points on Tuesday.

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