Wilfried Zaha lacked the passion to play for England according to Gareth Southgate.

The Crystal Palace winger opted to pledge his allegiance to the Ivory Coast ahead of the African Cup of Nations in January.

Zaha had been capped twice by England before jumping ship before Three Lions boss Southgate could persuade him otherwise.

"He was the first player I went to see when I got the job permanently but he had already made his mind up," said the England manager.

"If you don't feel that 100 per cent passion of playing for England, then I'm not sure it's for me to sell that to you.

"Although I'm always willing to sit down with players, it should be them coming to us.

"I'm English and proud to be English — part of your identity as a national team has to be pride in the shirt.

"So, for me, the commitment has to come from the player."