ENGLAND EXPECTS

Boss Southgate challenges 3 Lions to deal with pressure

GARETH SOUTHGATE has warned his players they will have to deal with World Cup pressure and the fear of failure.

The England boss insists that goes hand-in-hand with “carrying the dreams of the nation”.

Southgate (right) said: “Whenever you represent England – or any other country – there’s expectation, there’s hope.You carry the dreams of a

nation and it’s impossible to say to any player that you can go out and play without any feelings of pressure or fear.

“But what you have to do is make sure that doesn’t control you and that you go for it in your performances.”

Southgate admits different factors have left England disappointed at past tournaments.

He added: “Generally speaking, with some of the best England teams, we’ve had a lack of discipline at a key moment and we have not performed.”

But he is only focused on the present and said of tomorrow night’s opponents Tunisia: “They are a good side.

“We’ll have to be 100 per cent in our preparation and performance to be able to win.”

The Three Lions boss is set to hand Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson the holding midfield role ahead of Tottenham’s Eric Dier, with the players told on Friday what the starting 11 would be.