Gareth Southgate’s ruthless streak offers new England faces both an opportunity and a warning

The Three Lions boss is quick to bring in uncapped individuals who have impressed - but won’t hesitate to discard them if they do not improve the squad

(Getty Images)

Gareth Southgate has brought up his century. Go on alphabetical order and James Justin is the 100th player he has called up for England. Name defenders before attackers and Jarrod Bowen is.

Either way, he had picked 98 footballers in his squads after the March internationals. Then the Leicester full-back and the West Ham winger got maiden call-ups.

Each was a reward for fine form but also an example of Southgate’s ethos. He can be England’s polite revolutionary. He has brought change from the off, dropping Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart soon into his reign.