Gareth Southgate set to resist temptation to play Phil Foden in central midfield for England, as Three Lions boss reveals talks with Pep Guardiola about the Man City star's best position

Gareth Southgate has cast doubt over Phil Foden’s suitability to play in a central midfield role for England.

There has been clamour for Manchester City’s attacker to be handed a central position after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ukraine.

But England manager Southgate — who revealed he has spoken to City manager Pep Guardiola about Foden — intimated he still views the 23-year-old as a wide player.

‘He doesn’t play there for his club, so presumably there is a reason for that,’ he said. ‘It depends on the level of the game, really.