England Under-21s: Gareth Southgate backs young guns' quality

Gareth Southgate (GETTY IMAGES)

England Under-21s manager Gareth Southgate is impressed by the progress being made by young homegrown talent and says they are proving the doubters wrong ahead of Thursday night's European Championship qualifier in San Marino.

Since replacing Stuart Pearce in August, Southgate has seen Saido Berahino at West Bromwich, Ravel Morrison at West Ham and Ross Barkley at Everton come to prominence.

"You want to see the players you are working with progressing and doing well," said Southgate. "It is just nice to see young English players getting a run, showing people what they can do.

"Everyone is saying young English players can't do this or that. The only way to stop those accusations is to go out and do it."