GARETH SOUTHGATE says Raheem Sterling’s fight with Joe Gomez made his England squad STRONGER.
Sterling will start England’s final Euro 2020 qualifier in Kosovo today following his one-match “ban” as punishment for the canteen scrap.
Gareth Southgate says Raheem Sterling’s fight with Joe Gomez made his England squad strongerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But Gomez has been sent back to Liverpool after injuring his knee in a “ridiculous” collision with Kieran Trippier.
Asked about the bust-up, Three Lions boss Southgate said: “If anything, it’ll just strengthen the bond of the players.
“This team are tight, so we can overcome any issues that might crop up.
“In the end I have to make difficult decisions sometimes but I’m incredibly close to all of the players and they are a very tight unit.”
Gomez, shamefully booed by England fans in Thursday’s 7-0 Wembley thrashing of Montenegro, was bizarrely injured as he and Trippier tried to defend the same ball.
Southgate said: “Joe and Kieran were on the same team but collided into each other.
Gomez, shamefully booed by England fans in Thursday’s 7-0 Wembley thrashing of MontenegroCredit: Rex Features
“You couldn’t make it up if you tried. We had a chuckle at how ridiculous it was that he was having to go home.
“But now is a good moment for him just to go home for a couple of days and clear his head.
“He’s now absolutely fine. He took a clash of knees. We scanned it just to be certain and he’ll be fine in a couple of days but he wasn’t able to train.
“We have to put a 23-man squad in at midnight so it was a simple decision. It’s pleasing we got him back on the pitch.”
Sterling defended Gomez after his treatment from the England boo-boys.
And Southgate added: “We’ve seen Raheem’s Twitter posts regarding Joe and that was real closure on the incident.
Sterling defended Gomez after his treatment from the England boo-boysCredit: PA:Press Association
“We get Raheem back on the pitch against Kosovo and can now just look forwards.
“Raheem is one of the best players in Europe.
“I’m delighted for him because he now knows that he’s going to get the chance to play in a European Championship where he can be one of the star players.
“You’re going to have moments as a manager where players will be enamoured with you or less enamoured with you, but we know we’ve been through enough that the bonds are tight with the whole team.”
With a Euro 2020 spot now secure, boss Southgate is set to make changes with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tyrone Mings pushing for starts.
Asked if Harry Kane will play, Southgate said: “I am not going to give my team away.
“There is a balance. We still have a desire to win the game.”
Southgate says the England bust-up will strengthen the bond of the playersCredit: Rex Features
Southgate is set to make changes with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tyrone Mings pushing for startsCredit: EPA
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
