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Southgate: Sterling will play against Kosovo, and he's looking forward to it

  /  Rick

Raheem Sterling's canteen bust-up with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez could end up helping England, according to Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

“Raheem will play against Kosovo – and he's looking forward to it,” Southgate said.

“What has been suggested [about the fallout of the Sterling-Gomez row] is so far removed from seeing the team socialise and train together, that it's incredible.

“They are so tight. We've seen Raheem's Twitter posts regarding Joe, and I have also had a long chat with Raheem.

“He's looking forward to playing and, if anything, I think what has happened will only help to strengthen the bond between the players."

Sterling has 10 goals in his last 10 England appearances and Southgate has reiterated his importance to the side - hailing him as one of Europe's best players.

He added: "Raheem is 100 per cent an important player for us. He's one of the best players in Europe.

“I'm delighted for him that we have qualified because he now knows that he's going to get the chance to play in a European Championship, where he can be one of the star players.”