England v Germany: Daniel Sturridge in Roy Hodgson's starting XI to face Germany

The striker had been a doubt for the Wembley friendly

Liverpool and England striker Daniel Sturridge (GETTY IMAGES)

Daniel Sturridge will start for England against Germany on Tuesday night.

The Liverpool striker had missed the 2-0 defeat by Chile on Friday with a thigh injury, and was a doubt after leaving training early this morning, but England manager Roy Hodgson, taking the unusual step of naming his starting XI on the eve of the game, has included Sturridge up front.

"Daniel Sturridge is fine," Hodgson said. "Last week he couldn't take part in training much as he was having treatment.

"But his injury has been improving and the only reason he came off in the training game was to give Rickie Lambert a chance at centre-forward because there is a good chance I want to see him."

The England captain Steven Gerrard, meanwhile, says the friendly will give the 24-year-old a chance to prove he is a world class player.

"He certainly has the talent to do it," Gerrard said of his club team-mate. "I was surprised Chelsea let him go."

Adam Lallana keeps his place in the side, starting on the wing. The Southampton midfielder made his international debut in the loss on Friday.

"I think Adam Lallana is one who hasn't had the chance to work with us as much as others so it is important he gets a chance," Hodgson said.

"He is playing in position where we are short at the moment with Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain injured. I'm looking forward to seeing him play but I am more than satisfied with how he played the other night."

Goalkeeper Joe Hart will return after Fraser Forster started against Chile, and Hodgson says that unlike his predicament at Manchester City, he has full faith in his No 1.

"I wouldn't dream of putting a player in or dropping him based on one game," he said.

"I can't deny - and Joe wouldn't deny - that this is another chance for him to show that he is a top class goalkeeper because he will be playing against a very good team."

England starting XI to face Germany at Wembley: Hart; Walker, Smalling, Jagielka, Cole; Townsend, Gerrard, Cleverley, Lallana; Rooney; Sturridge