Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says he has no doubts that youngster Raheem Sterling will be available for selection at the start of next season, despite the winger struggling with a thigh injury in the latter stages of the season.
Sterling has been forced to withdraw from the England U21 squad for the forthcoming European Championships in Israel, and missed the last two months with the problem.
But Rodgers is confident that a combination of rest and rehabilitation will see the 18-year-old through the summer, before the new season gets underway on August 17th.
“I spoke to Stuart Pearce about it and our medics were in conversation with the England doctors,” Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo. “Everyone was in agreement that we need to look after the long-term situation with Raheem.
“He’s obviously had a chronic problem where he’s been playing and working through it. But we needed to give him recovery and rest. He will be better for that. He’s making progress and he will be fresh for the beginning of the season.”
Sterling has made 39 appearances for Liverpool, scoring twice.
Meanwhile, four Reds do still go to Israel to represent England Under-21s this summer.
Jordan Henderson, Jonjo Shelvey, Andre Wisdom and Jack Robinson are all in the 23-man squad, which gets underway for England on June 5th against Italy.
Rodgers told the club’s official website he believes the experience will do the lads good.
“It’s great for Jordan, Jonjo, Andre and Jack to be part of it,” he said. “I always think going to big championships like that is great for their learning.
“All these football experiences are good for them. I’m not one who is against players representing their countries.
“Obviously there needs to be a balance in terms of the demands placed on them but I look upon it as a real positive that we have had four players called up.”
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