Gareth Southgate has challenged Dele Alli to show more maturity on and off the pitch to claim a place in England’s World Cup starting line-up. The national team manager spoke to the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder after training on Monday before leaving him out of the side that drew 1-1 with Italy on Tuesday.

Southgate explained Alli’s omission by referring to a non-specific fitness issue that has prevented him completing every training session in the past week, but it is understood that he also wanted to make a point to the 21-year-old that he cannot take England selection for granted. Alli’s form has been inconsistent this season and he has also not created an entirely positive impression while on international duty due to misgivings about his