Southgate warns Alli to cool it
GARETH SOUTHGATE will reiterate to Dele Alli the importance of discipline after his latest controversy. The day after being given a one-match international ban for a middle-finger gesture during the win over Slovakia last month, Alli hit the headlines for a blatant dive against Huddersfield on Saturday. His antics drew criticism from Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, who said: ‘It doesn’t help him, doesn’t help the team and doesn’t help football.’ Now Southgate will use this international weekend to reinforce the need for Alli to keep his head at next summer’s World Cup. The Tottenham star is suspended for Thursday’s game against Slovenia and Southgate knows he needs the 21-year-old on the pitch next summer. Alli’s club team-mate Harry Winks has been given his first senior international call-up after Fabian Delph withdrew through injury. Winks was named in the
Under 21 squad to face Scotland and Andorra but has been promoted to Southgate’s squad. Manchester United defender Phil Jones has followed Delph in pulling out of the squad for the Slovenia match and the game in Lithuania on Sunday, leaving the door open for John Stones to play at Wembley. The FA have confirmed that Thursday’s World Cup qualifier will go ahead despite the planned Tube strike. Wembley officials will do all they can to ensure staff can make their way to the stadium in order for the game to go ahead. Nevertheless, thousands of fans are facing travel chaos. The FA have been in close contact with Transport for London and National Express to set up a range of transport options to allow fans to get to Wembley for the home qualifier. Meanwhile, former England striker Rickie Lambert, who scored with his first touch in international football, has retired at the age of 35. Lambert, who won 11 caps and scored three goals for the national team in 2013 and 2014, hangs up his boots after 701 professional games and 241 goals for nine clubs in the top four divisions. Famously, Lambert scored the winner in a friendly against Scotland in 2013 with his first touch for England. Starting his career at Blackpool, the forward went on to play for Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Rochdale, Bristol Rovers, Southampton, Liverpool, West Bromwich and Cardiff City. He said: ‘Playing and scoring for England is probably my proudest professional moment.’