Steven Gerrard believes Tuesday's match with Germany provides Daniel Sturridge with the opportunity to show the world what he can do.
The England skipper has witnessed first-hand the impact Sturridge has made at his club side Liverpool since arriving from Chelsea in January, with the striker firing 18 goals in just 22 league starts, and now believes he can replicate that on the international stage.
"Nobody is a bigger fan of Daniel than me. He is one of the most naturally gifted players this country has produced in a long time. His goal record is fantastic.
Match Details
England v Germany
8pm, Tuesday 19 November 2013
Wembley Stadium
"I had seen bits of him before but having played and trained with him, he has gone up in my estimations. It's important to have him fit and available as I know he can do a lot of damage."
On a potential strike-force developing between Sturridge and Wayne Rooney, Gerrard added: "You talk about his partnership with Wayne. The difference is Wayne's done it, Daniel's got to go and do it now. He's certainly got the talent."
Gerrard was part of the England side that crashed out of the World Cup in South Africa three years ago in a 4-1 defeat against Germany, but the 33-year-old insists the squad assembled by Roy Hodgson for Tuesday evening is better to that in 2010.
"We are a lot stronger," he added. "If we were to meet Germany in a World Cup I don't think we'd leave the pitch having been beaten 4-1.
"There is a good mix of youth and experience in the squad at the moment. We are all moving forward and improving all the time.
"If you look at how they've performed in recent tournaments and where they're ranked, then maybe we are slight underdogs. But if you look at both squads and both starting elevens on Tuesday night I wouldn't say we're huge underdogs."
Although some are writing off England’s chances of victory at Wembley, Gerrard says he will go out fearless in search of victory.
"I have never gone out on to a pitch scared of anyone. I'll openly admit I've gone out and thought 'our backs are against it today' when I've come up against Barcelona in the Champions League.
"But I've never gone in scared. I've always gone in with the idea of it being a great opportunity to be the underdog for a change and that the underdog can come out on top.
"Even though it is a friendly it is a game all the players are desperate to win and bounce back from the Chile performance."
