Kyle Walker says the whole squad is rallying around Jordan Henderson after the midfielder was booed by England fans against Australia.
Sections of the home fans made their feelings clear about Henderson during Friday’s friendly win — his first appearance on English soil since his controversial summer switch to Saudi Arabia and subsequent eyebrow-raising interview on the move.
Walker wants to see the fans get behind the midfielder on Tuesday as England look to beat Italy and confirm their spot at next summer’s Euros.
"He has got tough shoulders, he's been through highs and lows in his career," Walker said. "[Being booed] was probably right up there but he fully has my backing as a player, but more importantly, as a person, because I still believe that he stands what for he stands for.
"We all need to be behind him when he has that shirt on and when we are playing for the country.
"We're like a big family and you don't like to see anyone down. It's something that we just have to deal with, we have our own responsibility and people have their opinions that they're entitled to.
"So we will be there for Hendo, we will support him fully the whole way, because he is a big part of our team, on and off the field, and we're going to need him when we go to major tournaments, for the dressing room and especially on the field for the qualities that he can bring."
The boos for Henderson have somewhat overshadowed England's position in Group C, which they will top with two games to spare if they avoid defeat tonight.
And Walker believes Southgate still does not get "the credit" he deserves from the media.
"We are more concentrating on the boos and what we haven't done rather than what we have achieved," said Walker, who joined the manager at yesterday's press conference. "It's not easy to qualify for a competition. Have they become used to us just qualifying? Now if we didn't qualify, God knows. I wouldn't leave my house, I'd just have to stay indoors."
Southgate could make 11 changes after an experimental side laboured against the Socceroos, with Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips all pushing to be included, and Kieran Trippier set to fill in at left-back.
Meanwhile, Walker has revealed he will contact Arsenal's set-piece coach Nicolas Jover after they clashed following Manchester City defeat at the Emirates.
He said: "When we lost, he wanted to shake my hand and I did not take it lightly. Simple as that. I will reach out to him, definitely. I will say it was probably a bit too much."
