Smalling ‘surprised’ by snub

CHRIS SMALLING insisted yesterday Gareth Southgate will have ‘no choice’ but to pick the Manchester United defender for England if he carries on his current form. Smalling, who turns 28 today, was axed for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil with the England manager claiming that John Stones, Eric Dier and Harry Maguire are better at passing the ball out from central defence. ‘Was I surprised? Yes, I was,’ he said. ‘But you don’t play for one of the biggest clubs in the world for as long as I have, and won the most trophies bar the Champions League without being able to do everything a top defender needs to do. ‘I don’t really feel like I need to prove anything to Gareth. I play for one of the most successful managers in Jose (Mourinho) and he’s only going to pick the best players.’ United only need a point against Basle in Switzerland to qualify.