Raheem Sterling has admitted "emotions got the better of me" but says he and Joe Gomez have "figured things out and moved on" following an altercation that has cost him his place in the England team for their upcoming match against Montenegro.

Sterling was sensationally dropped from the squad for England’s next Euro 2020 qualifier as punishment for trying to reopen his Anfield row with Gomez on international duty.

Telegraph Sport understands Sterling apologised to Gomez and the rest of the England squad for his behaviour at St George’s Park on Monday, but that was not enough to escape punishment from manager Gareth Southgate.

Speaking publicly for the first time since being dropped, Sterling wrote on his Instagram account: "First and foremost everyone knows what that game means to me! Everyone knows that I am not that way inclined and more to the point. Both Joe and I have had words and figured things out and moved on.

"We are in a sport where emotions run high and I am man enough to admit when emotions got the better of me."

Sterling added that he and Gomez "are good" and "both understand it was a 5-10 second thing it's done we move forward and not make this bigger than it is. Let's focus on our game on Thursday."