Southgate backing for Sterling

ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate has backed Raheem Sterling to come through the controversy surrounding his gun tattoo and stay focused on final preparations for the World Cup.

The 23-year-old Manchester City forward has been under intense scrutiny during the past week after it emerged he had a tattoo of a gun on his right leg.

Sterling explained the new ink in an Instagram post, revealing it is a tribute to his late father.

The Football Association has supported Sterling since the body art was highlighted on The Sun’s front page earlier in the week and the player trained with the tattoo on display.

Southgate was quizzed on Sterling’s tattoo at his Friday afternoon press conference ahead of tonight’s riendly against Nigeria at Wembley.

He said: “He knows he has our support, he understands how some people have perceived the tattoo. Yet in my view a tattoo is like any work of art. It is a very individual meaning, the intent is all with the individual.

“What has been clear by his own statement and his own experiences is he is not someone who supports or wants to promote guns in the way which was perceived at first.

“It is something he has had to get on with this week but he is a very strong individual and he is looking forward to the game.”

Sterling’s father was shot dead when he was two and Southgate paid tribute to the strength of character he has shown to reach the top.

He added: “The personal story of a lot of our players is quite remarkable. People often highlight the issues, the faults, of all of the squad, but for so many of them it is incredible they have reached the point they have.

“They are a great example to young kids of what you can achieve with your life if you are dedicated, if you are focused.

“Raheem embodies that. Nothing is given to you in life, you have to fight all the way.”

Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard confirmed the squad had rallied around Sterling.

He said: “We have reassured him, that is what friends are for, that is what team-mates are for.

“This England team is a tightknit group, we stick together through the ups and downs, the negatives and the positives.

“However, it is all about positives vibes from our side and we are looking at the World Cup as a big test for us.”