Gareth Southgate has insisted he did not snub Ivan Toney because the striker is in the middle of an FA gambling probe.
Brentford forward Toney has admitted he is assisting the Football Association amid allegations he broke strict rules on placing bets earlier in his career. Toney was called up in September but did not get a cap and was privately fearing the FA investigation could count against him and Newcastle ’s Callum Wilson got the nod ahead of him.
But England boss Southgate insisted he was not told not to pick him and said: "I’ve not had that conversation because he wasn’t in our squad.
“For us, September was a good opportunity to have a look at Ivan on the training pitch, to learn a bit more about him, for him to see how we work. We knew and had discussed with him it was a long shot to be involved at this time in a World Cup.
“We’ve tracked all the players since. We think Callum’s just in that really rich vein of form and has been with us a little bit more, been on the pitch with us, we know him a little bit better.”
Toney has scored eight goals in 13 Premier League appearances this season, with many believing he had made enough of a case for selection. Brentford manager Thomas Frank defended England boss Southgate's decision-making and revealed what he had told Toney in response to his omission.
Should Ivan Toney have been included? Have your say here
"I said (to Toney) these coaches, they don't always take the best decisions, including myself," said Frank. "No, with a smile on my face, if we look from, all people in the world are biased. So I am biased my way, Gareth is biased his way. So I look from this side of the elephant, he looks from the other side of the elephant.
"I think Gareth has done an unbelievable job of being the head coach for England, semi-final in a World Cup and so close (at Euro 2020). A penalty shoot-out is like the flip of a coin. Maybe not for England, but for every other nation in the world it's a flip of a coin to win it.
"So I think he's done fantastic (and) I think we should just trust the process. You can't find a better striker in form in the country after Harry Kane. It's impossible."
He added: "I don't think there's a player in and around the squad who wouldn't be disappointed with not being selected. It's about how many hits we can take and move forward. [Toney] has a strong mentality and he will move forward from this."
