Manchester City defender John Stones has described his club and country teammate Raheem Sterling as "unbelievable" at the World Cup in Russia over the summer.
Sterling managed 23 goals in all competitions for City last season en route to their record-breaking title win but drew a blank for England, failing to find the net despite starting in six of their seven games.
The 23-year-old drew criticism from pundits and fans for his performance, but Stones insists that he "terrorised defences" with his "immense" displays.
"Raz was unbelievable in the World Cup," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "I know he got a lot of negativity towards him but what he brought to the team. He terrorised defences and it got overshadowed.
"On a personal level I was upset for Raheem because what he brings to his team, as we saw with his goal against Newcastle, is immense. And it's not just about goals, he creates chances, takes on his full-back - he does everything right and more and I hope if we do play for England that one goes in and that is that, and we can put it to bed.
"If that happens, he can go on to show the world how good he is. He has such a great mentality, to keep coming out every week and doing what he does, and brush it all aside."
Yesterday Sterling was forced to withdraw from England's upcoming Nations League opener with Spain and friendly against Switzerland due to a back problem.
