England's youth is a strength at Euro, says Daniel Sturridge

Only four players in England squad are aged over 30 and eight have played fewer than 10 internationals but striker Daniel Sturridge feels that should hold no fears they try to win the European Championship for the first time.

England's lack of international experience can work in their favour, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge said as their Euro 2016 opener against Russia looms.
 
Roy Hodgson's starting line-up for Saturday's match in Marseille is likely to include the likes of Tottenham Hotspur trio Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Harry Kane, none of whom have played at a senior tournament.

Other squad members such as Liverpool's Nathaniel Clyne, Everton's John Stones and Southampton's Ryan Bertrand only have a smattering of caps and Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford made his debut against Australia only last month.

Sturridge, who has earned only 18 caps since his international start in 2011, is relatively senior at 26 in a squad that is the youngest in the tournament.

Only four players are aged over 30 and eight have played fewer than 10 internationals.

But that should hold no fears as England try to win the competition for the first time, Sturridge said.

"I don't see why we can't be successful because we're young, I don't think age has anything to do with it, it's how we play as a team," Sturridge said after a training session at England's base in Chantilly on Tuesday.

"It's a young squad, and that's a strength it's not a weakness. We know that there's going to be a lot of eyes on us because we're England. I don't feel there is any pressure on us. I feel like we will enjoy the occasion.

"If you go back to Manchester United, the Liverpool sides and all other clubs around the world who have had young squads and young players, they had a gelling period and became successful."

After another injury-plagued season Sturridge is vying with the likes of Kane and Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy for a starting spot.

England's only injury worry for the clash with Russia is Ryan Bertrand who could not train with the squad on Tuesday.

Daniel Sturridge reveals who he was texting while England were playing

Liverpool striker says he is a team player

Daniel Sturridge has revealed who he was busy texting during England's 2-1 friendly win over Australia recently - and insists he is a team player.

The Liverpool striker appeared preoccupied during the international friendly at the Stadium of Light, where he was in the dugout nursing an injury.

He was criticised in some quarters for using his mobile phone more than watching the action on the pitch, but Sturridge has explained he was busy checking on a charity event he was heavily involved in.

"It was my first annual charity event in Birmingham that night," he said.

"My family had put the event on and they were texting me the whole night. It's important to watch my team-mates play but if I receive a text message about my charity event, of course I'm going to reply to it.

"I'm trying to do something positive for my community in Birmingham as well as in Jamaica. Of course I want my team-mates to do well and there was no disrespect at all."

The Sturridge added he was very much a team player.

"We can't win this thing if there's egos or problems in the camp," he said.

England's Daniel Sturridge during a training session at Stade de Bourgognes, Chantilly.

"It's about us being here as a team. I look at other countries in many competitions and when they score everyone is off the bench and they are all involved, all jumping on each other celebrating - and that's how we have to be.

"We have to be a team. It's very important, on and off the pitch.

"We don't have our mums, dads, kids and all those things here. So we're our family and we have to be together.

"It's not about 'I have to play' or 'he has to play'. If we're not here as a nation, and as a team together, we won't win it. That's how it is."

Sturridge's all-for-one outlook did not stretch as far as agreeing to play the role of 'good tourist' though.

"I'm not here for a holiday," was his response when the notion was floated.

"Nobody wants to sit on the bench. I want to play, of course, but it's down to the manager to choose his team and I have to understand that."