Sturridge set for first England start as Hodgson prepares to welcome Ireland

Daniel Sturridge is set to make his first England start in Wednesday's friendly with the Republic of Ireland.

With Danny Welbeck virtually certain to be ruled out of the Wembley encounter after failing to shrug off a knee injury which presumably makes the Manchester United striker a major doubt for the second of England's two friendlies in Brazil on Sunday, Sturridge is the obvious candidate to partner Wayne Rooney in attack.

Remarkably, the Liverpool man's five previous caps came under three different managers in Fabio Capello, Stuart Pearce and Roy Hodgson.

Imminent run out: Daniel Sturridge is set to make his first start for England

But only since an outstanding late season run of form that brought Sturridge 11 goals in 16 appearances since his £12million transfer window switch from Chelsea - in the process becoming the fastest Liverpool player to reach 10 league goals - does Hodgson feel confident enough to hand him that coveted starting berth.

'Daniel Sturridge has been an enormous talent for many years,' said Hodgson.

'Chelsea paid a lot of money for him from Manchester City before he'd broken into their team but he's been more of a regular at Liverpool.

'He's grown in confidence and week after week now we are seeing all the qualities we've always known he had.'

'Enormous talent': Roy Hodgson has a lot of faith in Sturridge's ability

After taking charge 12 months ago, Hodgson showed immense faith in Welbeck ahead of Euro 2012 and was rewarded with a series of outstanding performances, more effective indeed than he produced for Manchester United.

Sturridge's explosive form for Liverpool means he almost certainly cannot manage the same relative improvement.

However, Hodgson is looking for the 23-year-old to make a similar impact.

'In the same way Danny Welbeck did, we are hoping Daniel comes in and brings us something with his incredible pace, footwork and technical ability to help us win matches.

Knee injury: Fellow striker Danny Welbeck is highly unlikely to play any part against Ireland

'This will be an opportunity for him to show he can do it at a higher level.'

The anticipated performance could also be crucial for Wayne Rooney, who ended the campaign under such a cloud.

Never can the lack of depth Hodgson is working with be emphasised to a greater degree than with Rooney, who remains England's talisman and stand-out performer despite ending the season unable to get on the bench for Manchester United, after a succession of earlier outings in midfield.

As ever, Hodgson is reluctant to get into any debate over a delicate club issue, knowing Red Devils boss David Moyes would find such interventions just as unwelcome as Sir Alex Ferguson did prior to his retirement.

It leaves him only able to offer support, which under the circumstances, has to be plentiful.

'If anything I find his desire stronger than when we first met,' said Hodgson.

New partner: Wayne Rooney is set to play up front with Sturridge for the first time

'I have nothing but the greatest faith in him. I know he'll be really desperate to get out and show how desperate he is.

'Good players can have bad games, it's not an exact science. But my faith in Wayne Rooney has never wavered.'

And the brutal truth from Hodgson's perspective is that while Ferguson could afford to ignore Rooney safe in the knowledge he had Robin van Persie, Javier Hernandez and Shinji Kagawa, in addition to Welbeck to call on, he has nothing like the same alternatives.

It is why Hodgson cannot even contemplate using Rooney anywhere but his best position, just behind a main striker.

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'I know where it's best for him to play and I have it fairly clear in my mind where I want to see him play,' he said.

'Everyone knows his ability. I expect him to continue showing that.

'But who will it involve him playing with? That might be a position which is up for grabs.'

Hodgson has long since resigned himself to the reality of having to pick players who do not feature regularly for their clubs.

  
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The absence of Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere from the present squad has robbed him of two of those who do.

'It is something I have to live with,' he said.

'The fact is there are a lot of clubs in the country that don't use many English players. Those we have do not always play.

'We'd be limiting our options enormously if I could only pick English players who play regularly for their country.

'I have to recognise a player's ability and believe they'll show it when I give them a chance.'