Roy Hodgson backs Man City star to lead the new generation of England players

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England national team manager Roy Hodgson has urged Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling to be the main man for the Three Lions over the next decade, Mirror Sport reports.

Sterling was embroiled in a drawn-out transfer saga earlier in the summer but has settled in well at the Etihad Stadium since completing his £49million switch to last season’s Barclays Premier League runners-up.

The 20-year-old opened his account for his new club in their 2-0 victory over newly promoted Watford just before the international break, but was an unused substitute in England’s 6-0 thrashing of minnows San Marino at the weekend.

Sterling is expected to be recalled to the starting XI for the Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night at Hodgson is predicting a big future for the ex-Liverpool forward:

“It’s a big year for him. He’ll have a lot of big years: France in 2016, Russia in 2018, 2020 all over Europe, and 2022 – It’s a big year and something to look forward to but, at his age, he has plenty more to look forward to,” the Three Lions boss said.

“I’m sure that, one day, he’ll be looking forward to sitting here with over 100 caps.”

“The same aim he has for himself and his club manager has for him. Assists and goals from that position, a wide forward. It’ll always come down to that.”

“I’ve liked his assists and the fact he’s scored a goal early this season. We don’t want him to lose that incredible work rate and tenacity he has, winning the ball back when he loses it.”

“But the next step, this year he’ll be hoping to have more assists and goals at the end of the season,” Hodgson added.

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Sterling has 16 caps to his name for the national side and his only goal so far came earlier this year against Lithuania.

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