Sterling will have the hump but must know I care says Southgate

GARETH SOUTHGATE admits Raheem Sterling has the hump with him, but insists he has no regrets about axing the Manchester City star.

Sterling has been dropped following his spat with Liverpool’s Joe Gomez at St George’s Park and will watch England’s 1,000th game from the Wembley sidelines.

But the Three Lions boss (left) said: “I hope that all of my players know that, first and foremost, I care about them, that I want to be fair with them, that I want to

do what’s right for all of them, and that they can lean on me when they need me. And I accept that at times they’re not going to be bouncing with joy when they see my face walking through the meal room.

“So that is part and parcel of being a manager. And if you’re not up for that challenge, then it’s better to go and do something else.

“I wouldn’t imagine that he’s (Sterling) hugely enthusiastic (towards him), but I can understand that. In the end he’s with the group and that’s the most important thing.”

Southgate, who will recall Sterling for Sunday’s final Group A qualifier in Kosovo, said: “You don’t have to be an expert in human behaviour to think it (the hump) was possible.

“I know as a player my relationship with my managers and how I felt about them changed day to day, and there were many occasions when I had the hump with them. Usually when I wasn’t in the team.”

Southgate has been slammed by some this week for his decision to axe Sterling from tonight’s showpiece Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro.

But the England boss says his critics haven’t a clue what it’s like to be in his position.

“I’ve got to make the decisions I think are right,” he said.

“If you’re a leader and you try to keep everybody happy all the time, then that’s not going to happen.

“So it’s a lonely place to be, a challenging place to be. But you have to stand up and make sure that you’re accountable, that you’re there to stand up and speak about the decisions that you made and show a way forward for the team.

“In the end, the most important thing is that we win the game tonight.”