England manager Gareth Southgate believes his FA has been too harsh on one of his players.

The Three Lions coach this week questioned Brentford striker Ivan Toney's eight-month ban from football.

Toney was found guilty of numerous betting violations, but none that involved one of his teams.

He cannot train until September and cannot play until January 16th per the terms of his worldwide ban.

“I have spoken with (Toney)," Southgate told reporters.

“I don't know if that's allowed, by the way. If it isn't then they can ban me and not add to his ban.

“Look, the ban is the ban. It is what it is. He recognised and accepted the punishment. What bothers me is we've got to look after people.

“He's injured at the moment. What does he do about getting fit? How do we give him some structure over the next few months that he can develop himself or be a better person at the end of it, or have experiences that he might not experience?

“I don't like the idea that we just leave somebody so they are not allowed to be a part of the football community.

“I don't think that's how we should work, I don't think that's how the best rehabilitation programmes work."