Southgate determined there will be no early exit

GARETH Southgate is confident England Under 21s will avoid a third straight group-stage exit, despite starting their European Championship campaign with defeat to Portugal.

This is the Young Lions’ fifth straight appearance at the finals, but their sixyear wait for a victory on this stage continued Uherske Hradiste.

England matched Portugal for much of the Group B encounter, but they fell short as Joao Mario’s second-half strike condemned Southgate’s men to a 1-0 defeat.

“I think we’ve played the best team in the group and run them very close,” the England head coach said.

“They have some excellent players as we have got and from what I have seen we can still have faith in what we do.

“Now the margins for error are much smaller, but that is what being in a tournament is all about. The mentality of how we approach things now is really important.”

The bruising build-up to this match certainly had a big impact, with Southgate robbed of two key men in the 48 hours leading up to the opening game.

Suspected concussion has seen John Stones ruled out for two matches and a knee injury meant Saido Berahino had to withdraw just hours before kick-off at the Mestsky Fotbalovy Stadion.

Both were in attendance in Uherske Hradiste, the latter wearing a knee brace, and their absence certainly had an impact on Southgate’s side.

“We lost two players after working on the shape of the team so it is far from ideal, but I thought the players who came in did a good job,” he said.

Stones should be available for England’s final group game against Italy, but Southgate is well aware their fate could be sealed by that point.

Tomorrow’s opponents Sweden secured a surprise 2-1 victory against Italy and return to Olomouc looking to repeat the feat.

Tottenhamam striker Harry Kane is “flattered” to be linked with Manchester United but insists he is happy at White Hart Lane.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a bigmoney summer switch to Old Trafford after scoring 31 goals in all competitions for Spurs last term.

That included 21 in the Premier League, second behind Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, in his first full term in the top-flight.

With United said to be at the head of a list of suitors, Kane, who is currently on duty with England Under 21s, admitted he was aware of interest but is content to remain in north London.

“I’ve seen there’s interest but that’s all I know,” he said.“It’s flattering for other clubs to maybe be interested but I’m happy at Spurs.”

Arsenal have confirmed the departures of winger Ryo Miyaichi to German club St Pauli and defender Semi Ajayi to Cardiff.