Southgate: England Under-21s squad is 'always evolving'

The Three Lions have lost the likes of Joe Gomez, Kortney Hause and James Wilson to injury since their game with Kazakhstan last month and Spurs pair Eric Dier and Dele Alli have been included in Roy Hodgson’s senior squad.

But the head coach believes those absentees means an opportunity for others in the squad to get their chance and make an impression in next week's games with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland.

"We have two or three injured and four players with the seniors who could be eligible for us, so it’s difficult trying to get the balance but that is a reminder of what the U21s is there for," said Southgate.

"We’ve had a solid start, it’s a new group and it’s always evolving which is the nature of the U21s set-up.

"We’ve tried to keep some consistency but we’re missing a few players with injury and a couple of the boys that are with the first team this time around.

"That’s always the challenge but it’s an opportunity for other players to come in and show us what they can do.

"In defence, we’re going to have a couple of players who haven’t played for us before so it will be great to see how they adapt and adjust to that because there is some potential there."

Southgate announced his squad at Brighton & Hove Albion’s new training ground in Lancing, ahead of the game with Switzerland at the club’s Amex Stadium on Monday 16 November.

The squad will arrive in Sussex after their first game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday 12 November, and will use Albion’s training base to prepare for their final match of 2015.

And after enjoying lunch with Seagulls boss Chris Hughton, Southgate admits he’s looking forward to bringing his squad to the venue.

"It’s a fantastic set up. I know quite a few people at the club, Chris [Hughton], Colin [Calderwood] and Nathan [Jones], who worked with us last summer," he revealed.

"We know the club is really geared up to be successful, this place is fantastic and you couldn’t want for anything here.

Southgate's side beat Kazakhstan by 3-0 last month

"We will come straight back from Sarajevo and stay nearby, so we will use the facilities here for our training sessions.

"Everybody at the club has been incredibly helpful and we’re looking forward to coming. There’s everything we could possibly want so it’s perfect preparation for us.

"It’s a brilliant stadium, I came when our U19s played a few years ago, there was a full house and it was a fantastic night.

"As we’ve seen over the last year or so, there’s a quick progression for boys into the senior team and in the U21s squad there are a few of these boys who have the potential to go up into the seniors.

"So it’s always nice for supporters to say that they’d seen someone play at U21 level.

"We’ve had super support all around the country where we’ve been, and it’s a nice way to take England on the road.

"It gives youngsters a chance to go and see the stars of the future, playing just down the road. 

"People have enjoyed the way we’ve played, there’s some exciting players in our group and we want to play football that the people who have been along will enjoy."

Tickets for the game at the Amex Stadium cost just £10 and £5 and are on sale now via Brighton & Hove Albion FC. Click here for more details or call 0844 327 1901.