Thursday 15 March 2018 18:49, UK
England boss Gareth Southgate says the heightened political tensions between the United Kingdom and Russia will not affect his preparations for the World Cup.
Southgate named his squad for the upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy on Thursday, with the start of the World Cup in Russia just three months away.
However, England's participation in the tournament was questioned earlier this month following the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was among those to question whether England should boycott the World Cup, but Southgate insists the matter is out of his control and is preparing for the tournament like any other.
"Clearly it is a really serious matter and developing very quickly. My job as the England football manager is to concentrate on football and prepare the team," he said.
"As far as all my briefings and information is, we're preparing to go to the World Cup. There is no doubt in my mind that is what we should be doing.
"The highest importance is the safety and security of our players and absolutely our travelling supporters. They're the things we're focused on."
When asked if he had concerns England would be barred from the World Cup by the government, Southgate added: "I think it is a matter that is completely out of my control.
"We are desperate to go to the World Cup. That is really where my remit ends at that matter."
England fans have bought just 28,000 tickets for this year's World Cup, compared to 57,000 at the same stage for the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
Southgate admits he understands some supporters' decision to snub the upcoming tournament in Russia but has urged fans to get behind the team this summer.
"It is always a huge boost for us as a team to have our travelling support with us. We have some of the best fans in the world," he said.
"That is going to be an individual choice as to which games they will attend. It costs a lot of money to follow England and tickets to major tournaments are expensive.
"For us it is a massive boost when we've got our supporters in the stadium, definitely."
