Friday 27 May 2016 21:36, UK
Jordan Henderson is eager to prove his fitness ahead of Euro 2016 when England face Australia in his hometown of Sunderland.
Roy Hodgson's squad warmed up for next month's tournament with a narrow 2-1 win over Turkey on Sunday and continue their preparations against Australia at the Stadium of Light on Friday evening.
Hodgson must name his 23-man squad before Tuesday's deadline and Henderson - who would have been a shoo-in for selection had he not suffered a knee injury last month - is hoping for more time on the pitch to show his worth.
"I am still proving (my fitness)," Henderson, who has made two substitute appearances since recovering, said. "I still feel as though this week I trained well and I feel good.
"Getting some minutes at the weekend was a bonus for me really so I am hoping that can put us in good stead for the game. Hopefully I can get more minutes, get my match sharpness back, if you like, and hopefully keep progressing.
"Come the first game of the Euros, hopefully I am on that plane and ready to go."
Henderson is one of five Liverpool players in the 26-man provisional squad named by Hodgson, although there are concerns that number could be cut as Daniel Sturridge has a calf strain.
"He'll be disappointed," Henderson said of his Reds team-mate. "Obviously he'll want to be playing some part in the next couple of games before the tournament.
"He has just got to make sure he is doing everything he can to get fit. I am sure he will be and hopefully he can be involved in this game tomorrow, if not the game after that and play some part and show he is ready to go to the Euros."
Uncapped Marcus Rashford is set to start for England, just three months after the 18-year-old made his Manchester United debut.
"He is a great player with a lot of potential, but at the same time we've got to keep his feet on the floor and keep working hard, keep doing the things that he has done to get himself there," Henderson added.
"I am sure if he does that, we'll have a very, very big player on our hands."
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