Yes Gareth, it’s a complete mystery why a player only recently returning from injury would want to take time to return to full fitness instead of risking injury again by playing against checks notes Malta…

Probably the media searching for a headline, this. We’d be stupid not to go into the tournament without our best right back (if fit).

I am happy that he is putting his fitness and our club first before internationals

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Southgate’s kidding himself if he thinks performances against Malta or North Macedonia would factor in to his assessment of Reece James. Frankly he should know whether or not he wants him already.

Well done Reece

He made the right call, Southgate is an idiot if he’s trying to call up a player that lacks serious match fitness and has been out injured for a long time. I hate how players recover with clubs but are then rushed back to games for international friendlies.

Completely fine if radhford plays like shit, Henderson goes Saudi or Phillips doesn’t play though lol

I get Southgate’s POV honestly. Very few squads before the Euros now to prove himself in a position where competition is immense.

Who would you leave out for James? Walker proven time and time again to be quality for England, and still for club. Trippier has been the best RB in the Prem for around a season and a half, and also plays well in an England shirt. Trent has his place in the squad as a genuine midfield option but obviously can play RB if needed too. There surely isn’t room for 4 right backs?

Good on him for sending dead games. He should be walking into the England squad anyway because he’s wicked.

Southgate threw pope in the doghouse for this reason too apparently

Before people get the pitchforks up, it’s a blatant clickbait headline (as you might expect from the Daily Mail). Southgate simply referenced the fact there’s a lot of competition there, but that he completely understands his caution and is absolutely fine with it.

Lmao the guy keeps calling deadweight Philips and Hendo and there’s one of the best players of the team just coming back from injury deciding to focus on recovery rather than risk himself in useless games and he sends him a warning, he’s such a madman

Reece James doesn’t play risk game