Axed Sterling will be back against Kosovo
ENGLAND
V MONTENEGRO
Raheem Sterling is set to return to England’s starting lineup when they face Kosovo on Sunday, despite the fact he has the “hump” with manager Gareth Southgate.
The Manchester City forward has been dropped for the Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro tonight by Southgate following his part in an altercation with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez.
Sterling went for Gomez when they met up for England duty at St George’s Park on Monday, as a clash between the pair when their clubs met the day before spilled into the national team, in a situation which has dominated the build-up to this match.
But Southgate has been impressed by Sterling’s reaction in training since he made the call to exclude him for the next match, a decision which has proved divisive across the game.
“His reaction has been brilliant,” Southgate said last night. “He spoke to the team really well and he’s trained really well and I can’t fault his reaction at all. So, there might be observation about where might he be in terms of me, and giving you an honest answer of what I think he’s likely to be like, this is the case at this moment in time. But in terms of how he’s trained and how he’s been around the guys and with us, I’m happy.”
From his own experiences, Southgate is aware that players will hold a dim view of their manager at points in their career, but is not concerned that it will have a lasting impact on his relationship with Sterling.
“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 explained. “So, I understand that, I hope that time takes it course on those things.
“I wouldn’t imagine that he’s hugely enthusiastic but I can understand that and, you know, in the end he’s with the group, that’s the most important thing. He’s a massive part of what we do – has been, will be. He’s with us for the game tomorrow, he’s back with the team on the training pitch enjoying his football. [He] trained superbly well, as he always does. So for me, the thing is finished.”