England coach Gareth Southgate has defended his selection of West Brom midfielder Jake Livermore.

Livermore is in the squad for this month's friendlies in Holland and at home to Italy despite struggling at the Baggies.

Southgate said: “It's very straightforward for me. We've played Jake in several matches and he's done a job for the team. In November, we left him out and he was just about to board a plane.

“He left the family at the airport, he came in, he did really well for us against Germany and Brazil, and I think that has to carry some weight when you are building the spirit and culture around your team.

“That doesn't mean he is guaranteed to go in the summer, but I think it justifies him staying in our squad, because he has been an important member of our squad in building what we want to build in terms of togetherness and spirit.

“That is the sort of example of sacrificing what you are doing for the team that I think is important. So I get that, I know when I pick Jake it is going to get a certain sort of reaction. But there is a specific reason for why we have done it this time in particular."