Gareth Southgate must weigh up options for England v Belgium decider

Southgate remembers being a spare part at 2002 World Cup and must decide whether to involve fringe players against Belgium

Gareth Southgate used to refer to it as “the curse”. As a player he had sat out two games at France 98 through injury, but it was life as an unused substitute through all five of England’s matches at the 2002 World Cup finals that truly grated. So, when the national manager speaks of prioritising “squad harmony” when it comes to selection for Thursday’s final group game against Belgium, he is talking from grim experience.

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