Raheem Sterling: 'Gareth Southgate could have dropped me from squad'

England attacker Raheem Sterling has acknowledged that he could have no complaints if Gareth Southgate left him out of his plans for Saturday's friendly against Nigeria.

The Manchester City man produced an impressive all-round display on Saturday evening in the Three Lions' penultimate friendly prior to the World Cup finals.

Sterling was selected in the starting lineup despite turning up late to England's training camp last month, which he puts down to his flight home being delayed.

Speaking to ITV Sport after the 2-1 victory at Wembley Stadium, the 23-year-old thanked manager Southgate for his support.

"He's honest, he tells you his exact mind," he said. "If I got left out I wouldn't have any complaints because I had to meet up at 11 o'clock, my flight got delayed and I was a bit late in the morning, so I completely understand where he's coming from and I have to go out there and show him what I'm capable of doing.

"It was amazing to get on the pitch, that's all we work for is to be on the pitch week in, week out, and it was just really nice to get on the pitch and get the win.

"I should have scored, there was one stuck under my feet and one where the ball was a bit more in front of me and I had to check back, but that's how it goes. The most important thing is we won the game, we started strong and now to build on to the next game."

Sterling also made headlines earlier this week for a controversial gun tattoo on his leg.