Gareth Southgate says Ben White did not deserve to be left out of his England matchday squad.
But the Three Lions boss believes the attitude being shown by players such as the Albion defender has been key to progress in Euro 2020.
England are preparing for a semi-final against Denmark after sweeping aside Ukraine 4-0 in Rome last night.
White was one of the three players left out of the 23, for the second game in a row.
Southgate has made it clear from the start of the tournament that he does not like a change to the rules which sees three players left out of the matchday group.
White has been one of the unlucky three of late but it is still a fantastic achievement – and a priceless experience – to be with the 26 after one Premier League season.
Southgate said: “I’m spending more energy worrying about the three I have to leave out of the 26.
“They are all good players, none of them deserve to be left out.
“They are all giving everything in training so none of it is because I don’t think they are up to the level.
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“But we have got to make those decisions and we have got to make the right call for the right game and the right system.
“But all of the players have been brilliant.”
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Southgate said of his squad players: “They are the ones who are making this team successful because the spirit of the group is phenomenal.
“The squad mentality has been fantastic.”
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