SOUTHGATE CALLS TIME ON THE GOLDEN GENERATION CLIQUES

GARETH SOUTHGATE believes he has solved the historical problem of disruptive cliques in the England dressing room. Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard have explained how splits in the England camp caused by club loyalties contributed to tournament failures by England’s ‘Golden Generation’. But senior figures at St George’s Park claim Southgate is particularly happy with how the squad have integrated socially ahead of the World Cup. The way players rallied around Raheem Sterling following the gun tattoo storm illustrates that point. Southgate has continued to use Kyle Walker on the right side of three centre backs in training. Walker could feature next to John Stones in a back three against Nigeria tomorrow. Adam Lallana, who is on the standby list, trained for the first time yesterday after reporting for duty four days early to prove his fitness.