AFP, Croatia :
Gareth Southgate has backed England’s young guns to deal with the “strange” situation of playing in an empty stadium when they bid to avenge their World Cup semi-final loss against Croatia.
Southgate’s side were beaten by Croatia in Russia earlier this year when they stood on the cusp of their first World Cup final appearance since 1966.
That heartbreaking loss won’t be erased by a victory in Friday’s Nations League clash in Rijeka, but it would at least prove to England manager Southgate that his youthful team are continuing to develop.
Southgate has selected two teenagers – Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Chelsea’s Mason Mount, currently on loan at Derby – in his squad, while Leicester’s James Maddison has been called up for the first time.
Watford’s Nathaniel Chalobah is another hoping to win his first cap, with Leicester’s Ben Chilwell and Tottenham’s Harry Winks aiming to win their second.
“The team we play will be a team we believe in, whoever is ready to start,” Southgate told reporters on Thursday.
“There’s nobody in the squad that’s here that we we’re not thinking of putting into the team.
