It seems the fight between Scotland and England to secure the international allegiances of Tino Livramento is hotting up.

Gareth Southgate has today specifically namechecked the right-back while addressing England's full-back options during a press conference.

He named his squad for England's upcoming international double-header. 

And while the Newcastle player hasn't been named in his squad, it sounds like Southgate is much keeping tabs on his progress.

"There is [depth], I was hoping to call up Reece James but he doesn't feel he's quite ready," he said. "I understand that, he's had a long path back from a number of injuries. He's probably a bit cautious in that respect, but I can understand why.

"We have got options, but there aren't perhaps the experienced options we might have in other areas of the pitch. 

"Some of the younger full-backs are doing well - Tino Livramento has done well in his games for Newcastle, but being with the U21s is the right thing for him at the moment as well."

Despite having played for England's youth teams, until Livramento appears for the country in a competitive game, he remains eligible to play for Scotland. Scotland and England face a similar situation with Elliot Anderson and Harvey Barnes too.

Southgate is under immense pressure to deliver a major tournament win for England next summer in Germany. 

At the last Euros, England reached the final but were defeated on penalties by Italy at Wembley.

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They were then knocked out of the World Cup by France last winter at the quarter-final stage. So for most fans, it's time for this generation of supreme talent to start delivering. 

The manager insists he's not thinking beyond what may lie ahead for him after next summer. 

He added: "I'm out of contract next December, and I think any manager who is thinking beyond seven months is in a very privileged position.

"I'm super excited about the tournament, we're really gearing towards the next one and I think any international manager is really living from tournament to tournament.

"I'm really comfortable with the position, loving working with this team and staff, and we're looking forward to the next few months.

"I've not thought about [staying on until 2026]. The last time we played Malta here, I found out I was taking the team four days before the camp. 

"Most things I've learned in my life since I've finished playing, I didn't know anything about until a few days before they happened. I'm not one who has ever had a plan in my mind of what my career would be."

England squad in full: Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale; Levi Colwill, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice; Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins, Callum Wilson.