Steven Gerrard believes that Liverpool team-mate Raheem Sterling is deserving of his first senior England call-up.

However, the Reds’ and Three Lions’ skipper stressed the importance of not over-pressuring the 17-year-old and other young members of the squad.

Adam Lallana and Jake Livermore have also been brought into the squad, adding to a youthful midfield, including Tom Cleverley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, that the 32-year-old is keen to see blossom over time.

“I think he deserves this call-up,” Gerrard told reporters of Sterling. “The impact he’s made has been sensational really, he’s been one of our shining lights.

“The results that we’ve had so far this season haven’t been good enough but he’s stood up and been really good.

“I think the important thing now is that he keeps his feet on the ground, keeps learning, and keeps trying to find a consistency in his game, but it won’t be very long before he’s in the set-up for real as a regular because he is that kind of talent.

“These young lads are fantastic talents, I think the important thing is that [the media] are patient with them as well and we don’t try and rush them.

“They’ve got a lot of tools to go on and become fantastic England players but let’s not bill them up and put too much pressure on them.

“Let them just progress and become good players naturally, I’m certainly enjoying being captain and looking after them.

“I wouldn’t blame [the media] because you see the kind of performances they’re putting in for there clubs so you cant help yourself getting excited.

“I’m the same. I play with Raheem every day and he excites me everyday. I get carried away at times as well I just think it’s important, they’re only young boys they’ve got many years ahead of them.

“They are going to become fantastic players but it’s important we don’t bill them up too soon.”