This could have been avoided. If Roy Hodgson had said he wanted to give Adam Lallana the chance to build on his eye-catching efforts against San Marino, we would have been none the wiser about Raheem Sterling’s fatigue. Every word the England manager says is scrutinised. I can see where Hodgson was coming from but an issue has been created that both men could have done without. Had Hodgson explained he wanted to use Sterling for an impact – which he had, by winning the decisive free-kick against Estonia – there would be no quarrel. Now, though, Sterling is in the spotlight and contending with questions such as ‘how can a 19-year-old be tired?’ but those who believe he has made a mistake saying he wasn’t in the right condition to play for England are not looking at the full picture.
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Raheem Sterling told  Roy Hodgson he was too tired to start for England against Estonia on Sunday
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The Liverpool winger came on as a 64th-minute substitute in the 1-0 win
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Those saying he was wrong to pull himself out of the starting line-up are not thinking of the consequences
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Former Liverpool and England star Michael Owen wanted to play in every game for club and country, and he once said: 'I'll rest when I'm 40'
Raheem is becoming like @placeholder, with stature and his pace and his importance to club and country at such an early stage of his career but there have been signs over the last few weeks that such a punishing spell is beginning to catch up with him.