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Daniel Sturridge is not fazed by Luis Suarez's potential return to the Uruguay team in time to face England at the World Cup on Thursday. - Oxlade-Chamberlain steps up England return
- Cross: England can take positives from defeat
- Jones: Clinging to hope in the World Cup Suarez is widely expected to continue his recovery from a knee injury by returning to the Uruguay side, and Sturridge has suggested he hopes his Liverpool teammate is fit to play as he relishes the chance to take on the best players in the game. Sturridge also insisted England's plans for the game have not been affected by Suarez's potential return. "I hope he's fit," said Sturridge when asked about Suarez at a news conference. "We look to face the best Uruguay team to show what we can do. I don't think there are any fears or anxieties. We are just excited. "It's not just about Suarez. [It is the ] same for them against us. It's a team game, not about individuals. It's a game of football. He's trying to help his country and I am mine. I wish him well. "I'm not really on texting terms with Luis at the moment. He hasn't asked me for any clues and I haven't asked him. Whether they have Luis or not, we'll play the same." Sturridge went on to play down the notion that Thursday's game against Uruguay is a make-or-break tie for his England's hopes. A 2-1 defeat in their opening game against Italy on Saturday left Roy Hodgson's side in a perilous position ahead of their second Group D game, but Sturridge has stressed a draw against Uruguay may be enough to keep English hopes alive. Yet he is also fully aware that this tie against Uruguay offers the threat of ending England's World Cup ambitions after just two matches. "We understand what we have to do, it's not rocket science," he added. "We have two games and need a minimum of four points. We have to try and do that. We have a lot of confidence, adrenalin and no nerves. "A draw could be enough but what I learned at Liverpool is that if it's in your hands it's best to try and get it done and deal with it yourselves than ask for favours. There are no guarantees. You try your best to get the job done. "Expectations comes from everybody else, we go out there and play our way and as well as we can as a team. We realise what sort of squad we have, a mix of youth and experience."
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