Southgate: We'll take more from these games than the qualification games

CAIRO – 9 November 2017: Gareth Southgate relished the chance to introduce fresh faces ahead of next year's World Cup.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli, Harry Kane, and Harry Winks were ruled out. Fabian Delph, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson have since also pulled out.

Southgate chose a younger lineup including Tammy Abraham, Joe Gomez, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

"This period between qualification and the finals has to have an element of experimentation," Southgate told a news conference on Thursday.

"If we don't try things in these games, when are we going to try things? Germany took a really young team to the Confederations Cup, I thought it was brilliant what they did,” Southgate added.

"I've really enjoyed the week. New players coming in and two great games to look forward to. We'll take more from these games than any of the qualification games," England’s coach said

He said; "I hear this talk of club versus country, it's nonsense. They are injured and they can't play. Harry Kane, I knew he was in trouble because he stayed down. Kane doesn't stay down.”

He added; " Spurs might risk (him and Winks) them for the Arsenal game, that's a different matter."

England hosts Germany at Wembley on Friday and Brazil four days later.