Roy Hodgson unsure whether to rest Raheem Sterling against Italy

England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed that he is yet to make a decision on whether to rest Raheem Sterling for next week's friendly against Italy.

Reports emerged this week claiming that the 20-year-old has been granted permission to return to Liverpool following tomorrow's Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley.

It is believed that Sterling has been having injections in his toe to play in the last few Liverpool games, and while Hodgson hasn't ruled the winger out of next week's match, the Three Lions coach is open to giving him a rest.

"I haven't decided," said Hodgson when asked about resting Sterling. "There's an obvious case for him and James Milner, who's been playing for quite a while now with a knee problem.

"There are those two and others who we will have to take a very serious look at. In Raheem's case he needs some specific treatment and who knows, if it goes well tomorrow night, the wise thing might be to give someone else a chance."

Sterling's Liverpool teammates Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana pulled out of the England squad earlier this week.