Gareth Southgate makes astonishing revelation on why Chelsea star has been brutally dropped from England squad

England manager Gareth Southgate has suggested Raheem Sterling’s decision to ask for time out back in July to concentrate on his fitness might be the reason he’s been overlooked for the last two international breaks.

Sterling has not played for England since the World Cup in Qatar but Southgate who hinted the door was not closed for the former Manchester City star says he was happy with the wide players he’s got and would have to leave out someone who has done well for them to accommodate the 28-year-old.

On the occasion of leaving him out the first time the England manager said: “I understood why he wanted to focus on his fitness in June and we’re seeing the benefits of that now. But I’d have to leave somebody out who has done very well for us in order to recall him. I didn’t think that would be right.”

Sterling has scored two goals for Chelsea in the league but started from the bench as Mauricio Pochettino’s side claimed a morale-boosting win over Fulham on Monday night.

However, it is Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen who have been picked and Southgate admitted he had not been in touch with the Chelsea forward this time around as he was happy with the wide players he’s got.

He added: “We spoke before the last squad and we’ve been happy with the wide players’ performances in the last four games in particular and in the two in March.

‘The team are playing really well and clearly there’s some stability there. We have added Jarrod Bowen in those wide areas, he’s scored five in seven games and is playing really well and with the Australia game as well there’s the opportunity to learn some different things as well.”

Sterling has 20 goals for England in 82 caps and last scored for the Three Lions when England played Iran in the World Cup opener.