Gareth Southgate says it will be difficult for Harry Maguire to maintain his position in the England team if he continues to miss out on playing time at Manchester United.
Maguire, 30, has endured a difficult season at Old Trafford, having made just 15 Premier League appearances for the club.
Southgate has repeatedly stood by Maguire and continued to pick the defender at international level, but he admits his current situation cannot continue if he wants to be selected for upcoming international matches.
He said: “Inevitably it’s not a situation that can continue forever.
“It’s like Kalvin Phillips. They are important players for us and with Kalvin we haven’t got many players who can play as that single pivot.
“Of course the longer that situation goes on the more concerning it is and we’ve got, in Marc Guehi, Lewis Dunk, Tyrone Mings, players who are playing well without the same experiences of club European football or international football.
“But we’ve got to keep searching for competition in that area of the pitch.”
Raheem Sterling has also been left out of England’s squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers after holding talks with Southgate.
The Chelsea forward will not feature against Malta at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium on June 16 and North Macedonia at Old Trafford on June 19 after it was mutually decided he should rest ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
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