Southgate to consider midfield role for Stones

The decision to put a centre-half in a defensive midfield role takes stones.

Fortunately for ambitious England manager Gareth Southgate, he has exactly that in central defender John Stones, and with Tuesday's friendly with France at Wembley providing a platform for experimentation, the gaffer could opt to shift the Manchester City player forward into a holding midfield spot.

"You've asked me if he's an option (in midfield). I think he is. He's a player who is very comfortable receiving possession," Southgate told reporters, courtesy of BBC Sport. "He obviously hasn't done that yet, really, so that's a decision we have to make - but do I believe he can play that role? Absolutely."

City boss Pep Guardiola may agree with Southgate's assessment, especially after the Catalan manager kicked off his tenure at the Etihad by splashing £47.5 million for the composed centre-half who is adept with the ball at his feet.

Stones didn't play during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Scotland at Hampden Park, as Southgate opted for Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill in central defense, and the pair weren't exactly unflappable, with the latter committing an inexplicable foul that led to Leigh Griffiths' opener.

Southgate explained that decision, saying, "Really, he didn't start because he hadn't played for seven weeks or maybe a bit more. He'd had an injury and didn't get back into the team at the end.

"Cahill had played in the FA Cup final, Smalling in the Europa League final. That had a bearing on my decision."

Once ruled match fit, Stones is set for a potential debut in a position unfamiliar to the former Everton star, though the manager sounds no less confident in the player's ability to contribute in a new role.

"But John has huge potential. He'll be a much better player for his experiences at City this year," Southgate said. "Defending is a skill you learn and he'll learn a lot with a coach in Pep Guardiola asking a lot of him with the ball."