GARETH SOUTHGATE insists Scotty Sinclair is slightly below the level required to earn a place in the England squad.
The Celtic striker was snubbed from 26-man squad named this week by the international boss ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Lithuania.
Sinclair has made an impressive start to the season, claiming his 10th goal in the Hoops’ 3-0 Champions League victory over Anderlecht during the week.
He scored 25 in his debut campaign at Parkhead following his £4.5million move from Aston Villa to be reunited again with Brendan Rodgers.
But, according to the England gaffer, he hasn’t done enough to get a place in his plans.
Southgate said: “I had a conversation with Brendan Rodgers about him at the end of last season.
“He’s a good player, but we have good quality in that area of the pitch and, at the moment, I think he is just below the level of what we have already got.”
England are currently top of Group F and look certainties to reach the World Cup Finals in Russia next year.
They face Slovenia at home on Thursday before travelling to Lithuania three days later.
