Southgate is currently in the process of whittling his 33-man provisional squad down to 26 for this summer’s European Championship.
That process will continue on Monday night when the Three Lions take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first of their two pre-tournament friendlies.
Among those at risk of missing out are the stars still recovering from injury issues, most notably Manchester United defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
Southgate confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the pair, as well as three more players, are not available to play Bosnia though at the time said he couldn’t offer much of an update, other than they’re ‘progressing well’.
But later, the manager would go onto suggest that Maguire’s chances of going to the Euros was in serious doubt, replying: ‘We don’t know that at the moment,’ when asked if the centre-back would be fit in time for their opening match against Serbia.
The England boss admits he is in a tricky predicament, and says he won’t be seeking the players’ own opinions when it comes to their fitness.
‘They’re lying buggers really!’ the 53-year-old added.
‘If you’re in a relegation battle, the treatment room is absolutely full. If you’re in a cup final it’s empty. I’ve learned that, from being here [at Middlesbrough], and playing cup finals as well.
‘They have great intentions and are super positive, but equally they want to be on the plane, so have got to have a more in depth view than that. I’ll consult the players as little as possible.’
Southgate must name his final 26-man squad by Friday midnight, just a few hours after their second friendly against Iceland, though changes can be made in the event of an injury up to the start of the Euros.
He added: ‘I think we know where we’re likely to be [in regards to injuries. It’s hard to be quite so specific because we keep sitting down and saying: “Okay, if it’s this or this”.
‘But then somebody else in the room says: “Yeah, but what about if lose that player there, or that one doesn’t come through with his injury? Do we need another one in this area?”.
‘Time is our friend this week. It’s worth using the time. Tomorrow’s game could throw up another physical issue and then we’ve got something else in the mix.’
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