Club versus country row is nonsense: England coach

Gareth Southgate has dismissed talk of a club versus country row as nonsense as he prepares for today's friendly against Germany with a depleted squad.Tottenham trio Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Harry Winks were forced out of the initial 25-man squad, with Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Jordan Henderson later withdrawing.

England coach Southgate

"We've had to change plans because there was so much uncertainty coming in but we've got the players we've got and I've really enjoyed the week," Southgate said. "New players coming in - it's a great opportunity for us to look at them."

Asked if he was satisfied that all the players who had withdrawn were genuinely injured, Southgate said: "Yeah, absolutely. Harry Kane - I knew he was in trouble because he stayed down - Harry Kane doesn't stay down. Both him and Harry Winks were scanned and there is no way they're available for our two games. "I hear this talk of club v country - it's nonsense. They are injured and they can't play," he added.