‘It was dealt with’

was dealt with. I had a discussion with the player, we come to an agreement. And then he, in fairness to him, wanted to apologise to the group, explained his commitment to the team, and it’s done.

“Managers want an easy life, really. They don’t want to have conversations and we know the world we live in. Nothing stays private.

“So if those situations happen, they are going to be out there. There is a requirement to answer questions on them, and the possibility they become a bigger issue than they might.

“That’s part of the long discussion we had when we went for a walk.”

Sterling, right, subsequently hit the headlines when a gun tattoo on his calf stirred indignation when its meaning was grossly misinterpreted.

Southgate said that sort of mistreatment by certain quarters of the media was inevitable with such a high-profile player.

“I don’t know why there are so many stories about him compared to others,” he said. “But you’re absolutely right, he’s the type of player who can make a difference.

“Look at the impact he has had at Manchester City this year – it was the same for us in March.

“There is a bigger expectation, a bigger focus on him. But if you want to be a top player, you have to be able to handle that.

“He knows he’s got our support, he understands how some people have perceived the tattoo. But a tattoo is like any work of art. It’s a very individual meaning, the intent is all with the individual.

“What has been clear by his own statement and his own experiences is that he is not someone who supports or wants to promote guns.”