Steven Gerrard is backing teenage ace Raheem Sterling to become an England regular after he earned a late call-up for tonight's World Cup qualifier with Ukraine at Wembley.

However, England skipper Gerrard does not want too much pressure to be placed on the 17-year-old's shoulders so that he can be allowed to develop as a player.

Sterling is unlikely to feature against Ukraine after being called up alongside Southampton captain Adam Lallana and Tottenham midfielder Jake Livermore.

The trio are there as cover in case England suffer any more withdrawals after Theo Walcott was ruled out through illness and Daniel Sturridge is laid low with stomach cramps.

But Gerrard has no doubts that his Liverpool team-mate will eventually step up on to the international stage.

He said: "Raheem is a fantastic talent, one of the shining lights at our club this year, even though results have not been good enough.

"It is great for him to be called up and get a feel for the senior group because it won't be too long before he becomes a regular.

"He is a mature 17-year-old. There is nothing flash about him at all. He is a quiet kid. He works hard and listens and that is the key when you are that age and a good player.

"He is a breath of fresh air, especially for the older lads, with the pace and excitement he brings. He is a nightmare to mark for defenders."

But Gerrard also stressed: "Let's be patient with him. Let's not force it and expect too much too soon. Let it happen naturally and in time we will have a fantastic player for both Liverpool and England.

"It is different for the young lads now, there is a lot more pressure on them. It's important the people around them support them and give them the back-up they need."

Livermore made his England debut against Italy in Berne last month but it is the first call-up for Sterling and Lallana.

England boss Roy Hodgson said: "Their early performances for Southampton and Liverpool this year have been very impressive.

"Lallana is a player I've known about and watched even when Southampton were in the Championship because, as a club coach, he has been on the radar of players to watch and possibly attempt to buy. It is good he has confirmed what we have already thought, that he is a talent.

"With Raheem, in the past two years he has come on leaps and bounds and in the opening matches he has played this season, the reports on him have been very good."