England boss Gareth Southgate makes admission about Man City star Phil Foden's best position

England manager Gareth Southgate has played down the prospect of Manchester City star Phil Foden playing in midfield for his country.

The 23-year-old, who will be pushing for a starting berth when England face Scotland in a friendly at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening, has stressed his desire to play in a central position.

Foden has played the bulk of his football for club and country out wide, often being deployed on the left for City. However, there have been increasing calls for him to play in a central role for England, joining forces with Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in a much-fancied midfield trio.

It is felt that an England midfield-three of Rice, Bellingham and Foden would provide an array of qualities, both defensively and offensively, and offer the Three Lions great balance. It would also enable them to get as much attacking talent on the pitch as possible.

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Southgate, however, has suggested that he will not entertain that idea, admitting that Foden is at the peak of his powers when deployed out wide.

"He doesn't for his club," said Southgate, addressing Foden's prospects of playing in midfield. "So presumably there is a reason for that.

"It depends on the level of the game, really. In the middle of the park, everyone wants to talk about the with the ball but there is a lot of detail without the ball, and in games at the weekend, you are playing opponents who are so clever with their passing and movement that you have to be spot on with your responsibilities.

"If you don't, you don't get the flow of the game. You'd have to speak to Pep [Guardiola], who is the best coach in the world, who plays him from wide. He's always got the