Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton believes that England boss Roy Hodgson has over-hyped Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge.

Hodgson has been quoted as comparing the striker to the likes of Pele, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent days, but Barton has called for such comparisons to be avoided.

"There's a bit of a difference between thinking you're good and thinking you're Pele. I think maybe the sun has got to Roy Hodgson a bit there - he is an Englishman abroad after all," Barton told BBC Sport.

"He's the focal point of the attack. He needs to get that in his head. He needs to be the man finishing off attacks for England, not dropping deep to get involved in the build-up."

England open their World Cup campaign against Italy this evening.