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Gareth Southgate says he has never picked an England team \u201cbased on external reaction\u201d and will not change tack despite Jordan Henderson facing a potential backlash from some fans for moving to Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old this summer swapped the Liverpool captaincy for the Saudi Pro League, joining Steven Gerrard\u2019s Al-Ettifaq in a controversial \u00a312million deal.<\/p>\n
Henderson has been a high-profile supporter of LGBTQ+ rights during his time on Merseyside and this week apologised for any hurt he caused by moving to a country where homosexuality is illegal.<\/p>\n
The midfielder hoped his move to Saudi Arabia can help the LGBTQ+ rights movement and is now set to feature in his first international match since joining Al-Ettifaq when England face Ukraine in Saturday\u2019s Euro 2024 qualifier in Wroclaw.<\/p>\n
Asked if the potential for a negative reaction towards Henderson impacts his thinking, Southgate said: \u201cNo, I don\u2019t pick the team based on external reaction as you\u2019ll be well aware over the course of seven years.<\/p>\n
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\u201cBut he\u2019s a very experienced professional. He is very mature at handling any situation, really.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s trained really well this week, the whole group have. I\u2019ve been really pleased with the approach to everything. Everybody is available, which is good for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t pick the team based on external reaction as you\u2019ll be well aware over the course of seven years.<\/p>\n
Joe White, the co-chair of LGBTQ+ fan groups network Pride in Football and founder of Three Lions Pride, last week said they did not believe Henderson would receive a hostile reception from LGBTQ+ supporters.<\/p>\n
However, they warned that his presence could see some fans turn their back on the midfielder \u201cin the same way he turned his back on us\u201d \u2013 something Henderson said it hurt to hear.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I think Jordan expressed himself this week that he\u2019d be sad if that\u2019s how they felt,\u201d England boss Southgate said. \u201cHis feeling towards that community hasn\u2019t changed.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI think as a team\u2026 I am sure all of our fans are going to get behind the team when the game starts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand some of the comments that have been, and I respect the comments that have been made.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I think what\u2019s also been said is that they\u2019re going to get behind the team when we play, and I am sure they\u2019ll get behind Jordan when the game starts as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Southgate has a 24-strong squad to select from against Ukraine, with England looking to all but secure qualification for Euro 2024 by claiming a fifth straight Group C win.<\/p>\n
The Polish city of Wroclaw is playing host to the match as Ukraine continue to stage matches outside of their homeland following the Russian invasion last year, with a yellow and blue wall awaiting England at the Tarczynski Arena.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know of course hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are living here so we\u2019re expecting a very passionate and partisan support for their team,\u201d Southgate said. \u201cWe are used to playing in that sort of environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re of course respectful of the occasion, but our job is to come here and attempt to win a football game.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, for us making sure we keep the emotions in check and make sure that we\u2019re focusing on our job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Southgate added: \u201cI can\u2019t talk on a broader perspective but football-wise it\u2019s just a difficult game for us.<\/p>\n
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\u201cA team we respect a lot, some players that have played in England that some of the players know very, very well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that we have to be at our very best to get the win that we want.\u201d<\/p>\n