Gareth Southgate has said that his decision to include Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips in his latest England squad is down to a lack of depth in those positions.
Neither Maguire or Phillips has featured in the Premier League so far this season, following on from disappointing campaigns for their club sides in which the duo struggled for favour.
Maguire was removed as club captain at Manchester United this summer after losing his place in the team under Erik ten Hag, while Phillips has failed to make an impression at Manchester City since his arrival from Leeds last summer.
Southgate was questioned on his decision to include the pair despite their lack of minutes and said injuries and a lack of depth in certain positions were behind his choices.
“Tyrone Mings is out for the season, John Stones is out for this camp. Conor Coady is out playing in the Championship now,” Southgate told a press conference on his decision to select Maguire.
“Declan Rice was the only English player at the weekend to play in a single pivot. Kalvin (Phillips) is the next best option.
“It’s not a good situation that those guys aren’t playing football, but in some areas we have depth. In others we don’t.”
