Sturridge refuses to get comfortable
Daniel Sturridge has continued the wonderful form he displayed for Liverpool while on international duty with England, but the forward refuses to get complacent as the World Cup edges closer.
The 24-year-old is aware he is not guaranteed a starting spot for the Three Lions, despite netting four times in his last seven outings for Roy Hodgson's side.
Sturridge also ended the Barclays Premier League season with 22 goals - the highest return of any Englishman - but that does not automatically mean he will line up for England's Group D opener against Italy.
"There are obviously certain players who have their spots nailed down but, in my mind, I haven't and I am working hard every day to continue to show what I can do," he said.
"It is about being comfortable and uncomfortable. For me, there are no guarantees in football and for me I will just work hard and not worry about which team the manager will pick.
"I will focus on what I can for the team and leave the decisions to the boss because that is what he does."
Sturridge struck an amazing solo effort in the 3-0 friendly victory against Peru at Wembley on Friday, but he is not dwelling on the delight of that strike.
"To be honest, I really haven't put much thought into the goal against Peru," he admitted.
"It's gone now. I'm not revelling in it, I'm not worrying about it. It's about the team, it's not about myself. I don't mind if I score or not because come Italy it's going to be a big game and it's not really about now."
England tackle two more friendlies in Miami ahead of their opener against the Azzurri. Sturridge anticipates the tests in the tropical conditions against Ecuador on Wednesday and Honduras on Saturday will present his teammates with the perfect warm-up for Brazil's weather.
He explained: "Miami is the next phase and it's going to be a lot warmer there.
"It's going to be a lot more difficult in terms of the conditions, which is great preparation for us because the weather here wasn't as hot as it's going to be out there.
"When we go to Brazil it's going to be even warmer. It's good to have two games out there to prepare well, to train hard. We never make excuses about conditions and going into the World Cup it's going to be the same."