England manager Gareth Southgate rules out late-night drinking sessions for players ahead of 2018 World Cup

Southgate's comments came in light of England cricketer Ben Stokes' recent arrest

Paul Gascoigne immortalised the 'Denist's Chair' with his Euro '96 celebration (Getty)

Gareth Southgate has told his England players they will not be allowed to indulge in nights out drinking during next summer’s World Cup in Russia should they qualify for the tournament.

The England manager’s comments come in light of the arrest of cricketer Ben Stokes on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm near a Bristol nightclub in the early hours of Monday. He was released without charge pending further investigation.

On Thursday, the English Cricket Board confirmed that it would not select Stokes or team-mate Alex Hales, who was with him when the incident occurred, until further notice.

When asked whether he would ever consider a curfew for the national football team, Southgate suggested that one would not be necessary as late-night drinking sessions while on duty are a thing of the past.

“I can't see in a tournament where we would actually be letting them go out at night,” Southgate said.

“I can see why time with their families, that would be important, but there has been no tournament I've been to where we have had a night out. I think we'd know where we'd end up.”

Southgate was one of the members of Terry Venables’ Euro ’96 squad that did not take part in one infamous night of revelry during a pre-tournament trip to China.

A visit to the China Jump nightclub resulted in several squad members being pictured in the infamous ‘Dentist’s Chair’, a contraption which involved players lying horizontally while having alcohol poured into their mouths.

The incident was later immortalised by Paul Gascoigne, who re-enacted the moment while celebrating his goal against Scotland at Wembley during the tournament’s group phase.

Southgate said: “The China Jump was probably the last experience of [late-night drinking on duty]. I was wisely advised by Pearcey [Stuart Pearce] not to go on that one.

“I remember Stuart telling me that, with his experience of England trips, when the players go out you would think they had never been out in their lives before. And that was probably how that one ended up.

“That night three or four of the lads had found out they weren't going to be in the squad, which was always going to have an influence. Plus it was Gazza's birthday the next day so that was going to be another influence.”