Gareth Southgate praises competition for places in England squad

Brighton & Hove Albion defender Lewis Dunk made his debut in Thursday's 3-0 friendly win against the United States on Thursday, when Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson also won his first cap and Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho started for the first time.

England then beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley yesterday and Southgate said the tone of the week was set by the players who came into the side on Thursday.

Speaking after the win agains Croatia, he said: "I'm hugely proud of all of the players and all of the staff. We've grown together, we've improved every step and today was another big occasion and big experience. There was plenty of pressure on the game and expectation but they coped with it really well.

"This week the tone was set by the game the other night. The players who came in played at a really high level. It showed the competition and showed some of the young players we've got coming through.

"If we have a sloppy training week or a sloppy performance the other night, that would roll into today's game.

"None of those players should underestimate the importance of that leading towards today."

Southgate added he is not afraid to give players their chance in an England shirt: "We knew to keep the hunger, to keep the challenge - there's things that we can talk about - but you need competition for places.

"We knew the level of some of the players coming through and some we looked at. We know the quality of players and we're not afraid to put them in.

"Next year now looks like a really exciting year to look forward to. All of the players involved with this one (squad) want to come, all the young ones are desperate to be a part of it."That feeling around the team is really powerful."

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