‘We measure everything’

Stones played a full 90 minutes for the Three Lions in the 1-0 defeat to Brazil just three days earlier and was picked to start again at Wembley against Belgium.

However, the Manchester City defender broke down not long after kick-off and had to be replaced by Joe Gomez.

Speaking afterwards, Southgate admitted the 29-year-old picked up an abductor problem but defended the decision to play him.

“We measure everything and the first game for him wasn’t a game that was a high level in terms of the intensity,” Southgate said.

“We have done exactly what Holland did with Virgil van Dijk. What Norway did with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, starting them again. Holland started [Nathan] Ake again.

“It only ever seems to fall on us when there is a question around that. Of course, we are disappointed if he’s got a problem. It seems to be in the adductor area so we’ll have to wait and see.

“John also came in on the back of not having played for two weeks, so it is not an overload situation. I hate sending players back to their clubs if they are not fully fit.”

Stones’ injury could pose a problem for his club side with City due to face Arsenal in a crucial clash at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.

Concerns over his fitness follow that of team-mate Kyle Walker, who went off for England in the Brazil game and sat out the Belgium fixture, although the full-back is hopeful of facing the Gunners.

Several other Three Lions players were absent for either one or both of the two friendly matches with the manager admitting he was uncertain as to who will be available for his final Euro 2024 squad.

Southgate did say, however, that he was happy with the vast array of options at his disposal.

“We probably had 15 players on a long list missing tonight, so there is a lot to think about and assess,” he said. “Some of the injuries will be back in a short period of time and some in the latter stages of the season, so it’ll be unclear until the latter stages of the season.”

He added: “We are very happy with the squad. We have some exciting players and there’s a lot to work with because frankly, we don’t know who is going to be available and there is a big chunk of the competitive season still to play.

“But these two games have been a great exercise for us. We’ve tested the players against top opposition and found out a lot of things, good and bad.”

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