SOUTHGATE NEEDS HIS STARS TO BE PLAYING . . . ANYWHERE!

AS EVER, Gareth Southgate made perfect sense. The reality, however, is that he cannot be true to his word. It simply isn’t possible for the England manager to overlook those who are not getting first-team football. He does not have sufficient options to play hardball. When the time comes to pick his next England squad, whatever his misgivings, Southgate (right) will be forced to take Carabao Cup ties and the odd substitute appearance as evidence of experience. ‘Do we pick lesser players who are up to speed?’ he pondered. But lesser players cannot be up to speed. That’s why they are lesser players. All Southgate can do is encourage his men to seek opportunities elsewhere, if they are not getting a chance at their clubs. Maybe that is what he is doing, in his subtle way — because he really has no other

choice.