WE AARGH FAMILY

Southgate insists his Three Lions stars are still a band of (BLOOD brothers despite the Sterling-gomez spat

GARETH SOUTHGATE believes his England squad are still like a close-knit family – even after the bitter fall-out from Raheem Sterling’s axing.

Sterling was dropped from the squad to face Montenegro tomorrow after a bust-up with Joe Gomez, which left the Liverpool defender with a scratch across his right cheek.

Explaining his decision,

Southgate said: “I love all of my players.

“We’re like a family and all

families have disagreements but the most important thing for any family is you communicate through those and work through those disagreements.

“I don’t expect, as a manager, never to have to deal with things either unexpected or difficult. That’s part and parcel of the job and part and parcel of working with elite players, so, as I say, our focus is now to move forward.

“As emotions calmed yesterday it was clearly a possibility and everybody worked that through. I am very impressed with the players with how they worked that through collectively. Then I had to make some difficult calls. But that is done and end of discussion.”

But it is understood some of the squad believe the punishment was too harsh.

Manchester City striker Sterling and Gomez had a confrontation on the pitch during Liverpool’s 3-1 win on Sunday.

Tempers were still simmering on Monday and Sterling admitted he had “words” with Gomez in a row in the canteen at St George’s Park.

He left the camp briefly before Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson (above) played peacemaker and persuaded him to go back. Sterling later apologised to Gomez and his England teammates and trained as normal yesterday, but that was not enough to stop Southgate taking action.

England left-back Ben Chilwell (top) praised the way both players spoke in a team meeting on Monday night.

Chilwell said: “There are no bad eggs in the squad. Like the gaffer said, there will always be disagreements. Club football is very passionate and especially between Liverpool and Man City fighting for the title. As far as I’m concerned we move on.”

FABIAN DELPH, who joined up with the England squad despite carrying a hamstring injury, has returned to Everton.