Wayne Rooney: 'Raheem Sterling could be England's Marc Overmars'

England captain Wayne Rooney has said that Raheem Sterling has the potential to be as good as former Arsenal and Netherlands winger Marc Overmars.

Sterling earned a place in Roy Hodgson's squad for the World Cup following an impressive breakthrough season for Liverpool last term.

Rooney believes that the 19-year-old will have a "massive" future for both club and country.

"Before the World Cup I showed him videos of Marc Overmars because he reminded me of him," Rooney told reporters. "He has the potential to be as good as Overmars.

"Raheem is a fantastic and quite an unusual player. He can play right across the front line, out wide. Although he's a small lad, he's really strong.

"The potential he's shown is incredible. He'll be a massive player for us over the next 10 to 15 years and, unfortunately, for Liverpool."

Sterling has won eight caps for the Three Lions.