Gareth Southgate will NOT guarantee Ivan Toney a debut against Germany having left him out in Italy

Gareth Southgate has refused to guarantee new boy Ivan Toney a place in the matchday squad for Monday’s Nations League game against Germany.

The Brentford striker, who earned his first call-up for this international window, was left out of the squad for Friday’s game against Italy.

And the England boss has again raised the possibility of Toney missing out for Monday’s clash at Wembley.

‘We will have a think about that. I will have a meeting with the coaches later,’ said Southgate.

‘First and foremost it has been great for him, I think, to be with us and see how we work. Of course everybody wants to get into the team and onto the pitch but you have a better chance of doing that if you have been in the group longer and used to how we play and feel more comfortable with the players so whatever happens, this has been a useful exercise for him and for us.

‘I remember I was in the stands for my first two international camps. They were a little bit shorter but that was the way Terry Venables embedded me into the group.

The Brentford forward was forced to watch England’s 1-0 loss to Italy from the stands

‘Sometimes we have done it that way and sometimes we haven’t. I understand the push as it is so close to the World Cup but there is life for Ivan Toney beyond the World Cup as well.

‘He is very much in the frame and what he does with his club between now and then is also really important.’

Southgate also spoke glowingly of Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips, but suggested it was still too soon to tell whether his most recent injury would keep him out of contention for a place in the World Cup squad. 

‘You only have to see the quality of performances for us and Leeds and the fact that he’s now moved to a big club to see his level,’ he said. 

‘He had a huge impact when he came into the squad & was a massive part of the run to a European final. 

The forward was given his first national call-up after an impressive start to the 2022-23 season

Southgate also admitted it was difficult to predict when Kalvin Phillips would return

‘The honest answer on the injury is we don’t know. It’s obviously going to be very tight because healing from that operation is the first part and the second part is whether he can play enough football once he’s healed to be in consideration. 

‘So we’re always optimistic. When there’s a target and someone is really hungry to achieve it, it’s amazing what the body can do. 

‘He had a dislocated shoulder in the last game of the season before the Euros so that was quite a remarkable recovery in itself. 

‘We’re just going to have to wait and see, and I know he is disappointed to miss this camp and fully focussed on getting back for his club and hopefully for us.’