GOING FOR BROKE

Southgate risks job with youth policy

GARETH SOUTHGATE will not halt his plan to build a youthful England team, even if it puts his job in danger.

The England manager is set to showcase more of the country’s young talent against Brazil tonight, with Marcus Rashford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek involved.

In addition to Loftus-Cheek, youngsters Jordan Pickford, Joe Gomez and Tammy Abraham made their international debuts in last Friday’s goalless draw against world champions Germany.

Southgate said: ‘ I think about the risk I’m taking, but I think it is the right

decision for England.’ His squad has an even younger look ahead of tonight’s Wembley clash following the call-up of Under 21 stars Angus Gunn, Lewis Cook and Dominic Solanke. Harry Winks, Harry Maguire, Jesse Lingard and Michael Keane — who are all under 25 — have made their debuts under Southgate. There are obvious dangers attached to the manager’s youth policy and another poor World Cup in Russia next summer could leave his position in jeopardy. But Southgate is determined to continue gambling on youth, saying: ‘I think I was given the job because I understand the pathway and how to join the whole thing up. But I can’t control, if we have moments of pressure, how other people respond. ‘If you’re a manager and you worry about that it inhibits your decisions. ‘You can become risk averse, and there’s a danger that if you’re risk averse you can forget about trying to win, and try not to lose.’ Loftus-Cheek hopes to retain his place in central midfield alongside captain Eric Dier. Rashford is expected to partner Jamie Vardy in attack and Kyle Walker is set to replace Kieran Trippier at right wing-back. Gary Cahill is expected to take over from the injured Phil Jones.