Summary

  • England face Brazil in friendly at Wembley on Saturday (19:00 GMT)

  • England manager Gareth Southgate answers question on the St George's Cross design on new England kit

  • He says kit issue "not high on my list of priorities" and "most important thing" is the "iconic" Three Lions symbol

  • Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and Jordan Henderson out injured for England against Brazil.

  • Southgate Dismisses speculation around Manchester United links as "disrespectful"

  • Southgate offers "best wishes" to Princess of Wales after cancer diagnosis and says "we are very upset to hear the news"

  1. Goodnightpublished at 20:19 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Come back tomorrow to follow live text commentary of England's friendly against Brazil at 19:00 BST.

    Bye now.

  2. Postpublished at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    The news conference is over now.

  3. Postpublished at 20:12 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Gareth Southgate on Jude Bellingham: "The last few weeks have been more difficult with him with injuries and a red card so he's a bit frustrated.

    "We're super happy and very lucky to have him but he's still a 20-year-old. The success of our team will rely on our whole group."

  4. Postpublished at 20:11 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Gareth Southgate on Kobbie Mainoo: "We've been blessed with St George's Park being built. Some of our U17s have come over to work with us this week. You get a club feel.

    "With Kobbie I said last week we were conscious about how quickly we should go. You need to make the right steps at the right time with players. For us he was the next player in. We didn't want to stop that from happening. He's fitted in brilliantly. His level of training has been excellent - we won't hesitate to put him on the pitch."

  5. Postpublished at 20:10 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Gareth Southgate: "Ben Chilwell has trained all week, no problems."

  6. Postpublished at 20:09 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    John Stones: "Gareth and Steve watch pretty much every club game we play. A lot can be said while we're here. The standards in training are super high. Everyone is fighting for a spot."

  7. Postpublished at 20:08 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    John Stones: "I don't see friendly games as friendly games, it's us against one of the best teams in the world. A team full of top players. A great test for us as a team to get something out of it."

  8. Postpublished at 20:06 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Gareth Southgate on his future post-Euros: "Every time I've sat with you I've said my focus is on the European Championship. Everyone would be saying why sign a contract before the Euros where you have to prove yourself.

    "I'm not going to speak to anyone else when I'm in a job."

  9. Postpublished at 20:05 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Gareth Southgate: "We have started doing that in the last few years. We've only beaten Brazil four times. There are lots of matches against big opponents we don't have outstanding records against - but this team have managed to beat.

    "It's another chance for us to put a marker down. We'll be tested in every aspect of our game."

  10. Postpublished at 20:03 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    England boss Gareth Southgate on whether Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins are playing for one spot: "That's a decision we'll have to make. Number nine is a specialist position. They have different attributes. It will depend on injuries in other positions and players who can play in more than one role.

    "Both are aware the opportunity is a big one. They both are in good form and have had time with us. Ollie has done well. Ivan has had the impact we expected him to."

    When asked who will start tomorrow: "Did the Brazil manager give you his team in his press conference?"

  11. Postpublished at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Gareth Southgate on Terry Venables: "It's brilliant to be able to honour Terry at the game. We haven't got a huge number of English coaches who have had big jobs around European football. Terry and Bobby [Robson] are two.

    "It's lovely he's being recognised and a lot of his squad are coming to the game. Maybe we haven't recognised former players as much as we could have done."

  12. Postpublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Gareth Southgate on the England kit flag debate: "It's not been high on my list of priorities. It depends which bit it is. I don't know if the debate is about the flag needing to be on the England shirt because it hasn't always been.

    "The most important thing that has to be on an England shirt is the Three Lions. That's our iconic symbol. That distinguishes us from other football teams and England rugby and cricket.

    "If you're asking should we be tampering with the cross of St George. In my head if it's not a red cross on a white background it's not the cross of St George anyway. It's presumably some artistic take which I'm not creative enough to understand.

    "It's not taken anything away from what we've been preparing for."

  13. Postpublished at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Gareth Southgate on Manchester United links: "I'm the England manager. I have one job basically, to try to deliver a European Championship. Before that there are two important games this week.

    "Manchester United have a manager. It's disrespectful with any speculation."

  14. Postpublished at 19:50 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Gareth Southgate: "It's a brilliant opportunity for other players. We need to see them ahead of the Euros. From our perspective it's a great exercise and opportunity."

  15. Postpublished at 19:49 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Gareth Southgate: "No Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson or Cole Palmer tomorrow. I would say Cole and Hendo have a better chance of Belgium than Harry. He'd be extremely doubtful."

  16. Postpublished at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Gareth Southgate: "We've heard the news about the Princess of Wales. We wish to send our best wishes to her and her family. It was a remarkably dignified statement. We have a close relationship with the family so we're very upset to hear the news. Hopefully everything goes well."

  17. Postpublished at 19:46 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Gareth Southgate and John Stones are here.

  18. Kane, Palmer, Henderson out tomorrowpublished at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Ian Dennis
    BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter

    No Harry Kane, Cole Palmer or Jordan Henderson for England against Brazil.

    Gareth Southgate says Kane is a “big doubt” for Tuesday against Belgium.

  19. Mainoo aiming for Euro spot after call-uppublished at 19:39 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

    Kobbie Mainoo could make his England debut after receiving a late call-up for the friendlies against Belgium and Brazil.

    The Manchester United midfielder, who made his Premier League debut in November, was originally selected for the U21s squad.

    After a stratospheric rise this season, it's no surprise that Mainoo is already looking to book his spot in England's Euros squad.

    "I think that's the end goal for the season, to get into that squad," Mainoo told BBC Radio 5 Live's John Murray earlier this week.

    "But obviously I've got to focus on club football in the meantime, and hopefully that'll figure itself out."