Euro 2016: Roy Hodgson banks on Raheem Sterling for England’s clash with Iceland

ROY HODGSON will take a big gamble by starting Raheem Sterling tonight.

The shock recall comes just days after England chiefs revealed the struggling winger’s confidence was shot to bits.

Sterling, 21, branded himself the Hated One when he was booed by Three Lions fans in the opening two group games.

But skipper Wayne Rooney backed him to turn the heat on Iceland.

Roo said: “From what I’ve seen, his state of mind is fine. He’s been normal around the camp. What we’ve seen on the training pitch of Raheem Sterling, he’s been fantastic, sharp, taking players on, scoring goals.

“There’s no issue with Raheem at all. His attitude isn’t questioned.

“He’s a huge asset to us as a team, a fantastic player and one who can turn the game in a split second.

“If anyone is questioning his attitude or state of mind, they’d be mistaken in having that judgment.”

Yet that is what England No 2 Ray Lewington appeared to do last week when he said: “It’s not nice to see people being booed — it does hurt.

“Young players do suffer for confidence sometimes and in the second game he looked as if he was slightly nervy and wasn’t doing things he was doing in the first game.”

Despite that, Hodgson has plumped for Sterling in a three-man attack with Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge.

That means there is no place for Adam Lallana, who needed treatment to his right ankle in the build-up to the last-16 showdown.

Sturridge, who beat Jamie Vardy to a starting berth, claimed Sterling is potentially one of the world’s best.

He said: “It is just a matter of time before you see him take his game to the next level and I am sure that will be very soon.”

Danny Rose and Kyle Walker will both return at full-back.