Gareth Southgate plans to continue England youth movement even if Montenegro crowd hostile
Sunday 24 March 2019 22:41, UK
England boss Gareth Southgate says his side for Monday's European Qualifier in Montenegro will again have a youthful look - despite the prospect of a hostile environment.
Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole were verbally abused and targeted with missiles when England travelled to Podgorica for a World Cup qualifier in 2013 and a similarly tough atmosphere is expected.
The current England side beat the Czech Republic 5-0 on Friday night at Wembley with Jadon Sancho starting and his fellow top prospects Declan Rice and Callum Hudson-Odoi coming off the bench.
And, asked if he would hesitate to play his young stars in less welcoming surrounds, Southgate said: "No hesitation.
"This is part of their education and to be a top team we've got to adapt to every environment we go into.
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"Friday at Wembley is always a different experience to going away from home in a qualifier, which is always difficult.
"But the only way the team can learn and improve is by going through these experiences."
Eric Dier was in the line-up against the Czechs but will miss out on Monday due to injury - meaning West Ham midfielder Rice could be in line for a first England start.
Southgate said: "We are always looking at the balance of the team, what is best to get a result.
"The make-up of the side will get the best out of the players we have here and available and I think we will have a very strong team out.
"Declan came into the game the other night, which was a great way for him to gain some experience of international football, so he is another one I would have no hesitation in starting."