Gareth’s in Dier straits

GARETH SOUTHGATE has admitted England have a major issue in central midfield.

Southgate said he was pleased with the performance of Jake Livermore against Scotland but conceded there is a chronic shortage of English playmakers.

West Brom’s Livermore teamed up with Eric Dier, leaving the Three Lions with a distinct lack of creativity in a vital area.

Southgate said: “We’ve obviously gone into this game without Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson, Danny Drinkwater and Fabian Delph.

“If you are looking at English players playing, there’s no one else. You are talking about Michael Carrick and Gareth Barry, so that is the concern and part of the challenge.

“In terms of our task, that bit cannot be underestimated. But we hope there are young players in the Under-21s and Under-20s that can add to that. We have talent coming through, they need opportunities.”

While central midfield is clearly a worry, Southgate also has to grapple with how to get the best out of Marcus Rashford.

He prefers to play through the middle but Southgate used him in a wide, roaming role against Scotland and it didn’t pay off.

The England manager added: “I don’t think it’s important at this time that he is pinned down to one position. The reality is no one knows what his best position will be in the end.”