Gareth Southgate has appeared to rule out giving Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli the England captaincy anytime soon.

Last night Southgate suggested that he may no longer have a permanent skipper in place and could just choose it on a game-by-game basis.

At just 20, Alli has already won 15 caps and is tipped to be a mainstay of the side for years to come.

But Southgate said: "The key is whether you feel at this moment in time that they would have the skills for the role.

"For me, it is not just the best player, it is who is the best person to lead and who are natural leaders.

"Dele is a very creative type of player and very special, but he is quite quiet.

"He would lead in another way. He has got to be comfortable in that sort of role."