Sterling reported late for England's World Cup training camp earlier this week and subsequently came under fire from the media after it was revealed that he had a tattoo of a gun on his leg, sparking complaints from anti-gun campaigners.

Southgate admitted that he considered dropped the 23-year-old until his personal life came under the microscope, and was satisfied by what he saw from the Manchester City winger, despite him being booked for a dive.

"I had a decision to make whether to play him after turning up late but, actually, that wasn't a decision after he started to come under fire from every other direction. It wasn't about getting a response. The most important thing I do in the next six weeks is protect the players. They respect each other and understand how important it is they support and protect each other," Southgate told reporters.

"The situation was one we didn't want to happen. But this was the best way to deal with it in my opinion. I've not had a chance to see that back again. [The dive] looked a very tight call from where I was sitting because he was travelling at such speed. I got the level I expected from Raheem, I thought he played well.

"The first half was as good a half as we've had. There was a lot of unselfish one and two-touch play. Our play from the back had good composure. It would be easy to say we were complacent in the second half but that wasn't the case.

"We didn't come to terms with their change in formation or work out their midfield quickly enough. We were a bit slow to react at the back and then it was a really good test for us. That five or six-minute spell we have to learn from because in a tournament that's enough to put you out."

Gary Cahill and Harry Kane scored the goals for England, who will now take on Costa Rica at Elland Road in their final match before the World Cup gets underway.