Gareth Southgate: 'Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling recovery is club matter'

Interim manager Gareth Southgate watches on during England training on October 4, 2016
© SilverHub
Interim England manager Gareth Southgate refuses to comment on Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho's apparent criticism of Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling.

Interim England manager Gareth Southgate has refused to comment on Jose Mourinho's apparent criticism of Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling.

Smalling has missed Manchester United's last four games with a foot injury, while Shaw spent the vast majority of last season on the sidelines with a broken leg and has suffered discomfort at times this season.

Mourinho seemingly questioned the bravery of the pair following his side's 3-1 win over Swansea City on Sunday, but Southgate - who left both players out of his squad to face Scotland and Spain - believes that each case should be treated individually.

"Chris hasn't played for quite a while and Luke has played but we've known he's had ongoing difficulties coming back from a very serious injury," he told reporters.

"Our medical teams - as with all the clubs - have been liaising very closely throughout the week (with United). The decision with Luke was a bit later but we've been aware both have been carrying injuries. In terms of what Jose said that's a club matter, it's not for me to comment on in terms of players playing with injuries.

"There's always a line for a player. I think players want to play, generally. In individual situations you need more information to be able to comment. It totally depends on what the injury is - what part of the body, what are the ramifications...it's a very individual thing."

England's upcoming matches are due to be Southgate's last two in interim charge of the team.

Jack Wilshere in action for Bournemouth on September 24, 2016
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1Liverpool1182130141626
2Chelsea118122691725
3Manchester CityMan City1173125101524
4Arsenal1173124111324
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs11560156921
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd115331613318
7Everton115331513218
8Watford114341519-415
9Burnley114251115-414
10Southampton113441212013
11West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom113441215-313
12Stoke CityStoke113441318-513
13Bournemouth113351316-312
14Leicester CityLeicester113351318-512
15Middlesbrough112541012-211
16Crystal Palace113261619-311
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham113261120-911
18Hull City113171024-1410
19Swansea CitySwansea111281021-115
20Sunderland11128921-125