The duo have been called up for the World Cup qualifier against Scotland on Friday because of injuries to Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater and Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Arsenal’s Theo Walcott may also pull of the squad as his wife is pregnant while Southgate will keep a close eye on Tottenham striker Harry Kane who returned to action after a seven-week lay-off because of an ankle injury on Sunday in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Southgate has backed Manchester United duo Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling who missed their side’s 3-1 win at Swansea City on Sunday because of injury.
Their absence upset United boss Jose Mourinho who appeared to criticise them after the Liberty Stadium clash.
Neither will feature for England against Scotland, but Southgate said: “I don’t know Chris well but that wouldn’t be my impression, having worked with him.
“Luke I know well and Luke’s had a really tough injury [broken leg last year]. I think very often it’s easy to look from the outside or to make judgements on people without knowing them really, really well.”
England can be backed at 9/2 to beat Scotland 2-0 on Friday with Kane available at 11/10 to score at any time against Gordon Strachan’s side. England are 7/1 to win the World Cup qualifier from behind.
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Source: Bet365
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