Gareth Southgate has told Jadon Sancho he can force his way back into the England set-up, but labelled the Manchester United winger's situation as 'difficult'.
Sancho's future looks uncertain after he publicly hit back against United boss Erik ten Hag and insisted he had been made a 'scapegoat' following criticism for failing to reach the required performance in training.
Meanwhile, his last England appearance came two-years ago during a 45-minute outing in a World Cup qualifier against Andorra.
Frequent lateness and reports of sulking when not picked to start matches led to reports of Man United and England staff getting frustrated with the 23-year-old.
However, England boss Southgate attempted to provide the Man City academy product with a boost of confidence before his side take on Scotland on Tuesday.
Discussing Sancho's international future with England, the Three Lions boss said: 'I think that's the challenge for him now.
'It's been the best part of a couple of years since we worked with him, it's difficult to say exactly the position that he finds himself and where he is with it all.
'But for every player that's not with us, there is always an opportunity if they can seize the form and have the (right) level of performances,' he added.
Sancho has 23 senior England caps but has seen opportunities become more limited after moving to Manchester United in a £73million deal two years ago.
Just one appearance followed after his missed penalty in England's European Championship final defeat against Italy in the same year with him since failing to replicate his previous Borussia Dortmund form at United.
The London-born forward was meant to be United's right-winger for the significant future, but a difficult settling in period saw Ten Hag bring in Brazilian Antony during his first transfer window in charge.
Sancho endured a difficult first campaign under the Dutchman last season and was sent to train away from United in a bid to improve his physical and mental wellbeing.
He has scored just three England goals since making his senior national team debut against Croatia five years ago.
Daphoenix23
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The more I hear stuffs about sanchos bad side the more I’m incline to wonder if MAN U did a decent research on the player before signing him. ETH only signs players with a certain profile of which hard work, sacrifice and passion to be at MAN UTD is important among others. Seems Sancho only came for the bag and hopes to keep his game going then move to Mayb Madrid or Some other club in the future.
nuycdlrty
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course he does hes a bench warmer who's out of form southgate's favourite
ziaacilmnu
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MAN UTD destroy players. Liverpool develop them. Fact. Prove me wrong.
ziaacilmnu
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IF ONLY Sancho went to Liverpool. Shame.
pythagorasofficial
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Talking of seizing form and right level of performances? That contradicts Maguire's inclusion. Not to mention, Ben White's omission
Yes I don’t understand why Ben White wasn’t called up. But not-in-form, not playing Harry Maguire keeps getting called up. That coach is biased.
Juobdmnoz
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Talking of seizing form and right level of performances? That contradicts Maguire's inclusion. Not to mention, Ben White's omission
Cj99
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He does, but southgate doesn’t
Nazdilmpr
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A lazy guy
AFer18463985
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he is dead career done