Sterling fumes at PR release’s captain claim

Raheem Sterling woke up “fuming” after aPR company connected to him claimed he would captain England in their Nations League semi-final against Holland.

A press release circulated late on Tuesday night suggested the Manchester City forward would lead out the England to mark the occasion of his 50th cap.

There was no official confirmation from the FA at the time, while manag er Gareth South gate remained tight-lipped over who would wear the armband when he addressed the media on the eve of the Holland clash.

Sterling insisted he knew nothing of the release and had not spoken to anyone, including Southgate, before Tuesday evening – revealing he apologised to the England boss when he realised what had happened.

“I couldn’t tell you that,” Sterling replied when asked what had prompted the release. “I woke up this morning fuming. I hadn’t had a conversation with Gareth or anyone in my agency, so it was a strange one to wake up to.

“The first thing I did after I came off the phone to my agent was see Gareth down the hallway, and I apolo - gised to him for what had happened. I don’ t know where that’s come from.”

South gate refused to rule Harry Kane out of the contest against the Dutch and would not give away any of his team selection in advance so as not to give Holland boss Ronald Koeman an advantage.

“If I confirm anything about the team other than that Ra he em is playing, I’ m doing half of Ronal d’ s job for him ,” said Southgate.