Gareth Southgate defends picking John Stones despite injury against Belgium

England's John Stones receives treatment for an injury. Photo credit: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

Gareth Southgate defended his decision to start John Stones in the friendly against Belgium after the England centre-back limped off five days before Manchester City’s pivotal game against Arsenal.

It has been a costly international break for City, with Kyle Walker ­having made an early exit ­during England’s defeat against Brazil last Satur­day.