Gareth Southgate has admitted he expects England to be without both Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell for England's Euro 2020 last-16 tie next week and took a swipe at the 'bizarre' Covid rules that forced the two players into isolation.
Both of the Chelsea stars are having to isolate until Monday, June 28 because of their close contact with Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour after Friday night's 0-0 draw at Wembley.
Scotland announced on Monday that Gilmour had tested positive for Covid-19 just days on from his man-of-the-match display against the Three Lions.
It means Mount and Chilwell - who met up with Gilmour in the tunnel area after the game, which is a breach of Covid protocols - are out of action for 10 days and could miss two matches at the Euros, depending on where England finish in the group.
But, surprisingly, Scotland's players were given the all-clear for their crunch clash with Croatia at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.
Speaking before England's final group game against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, a frustrated Southgate seemed to admit he will not have Mount and Chilwell available next week and took a swipe at the Covid regulations.
Gareth Southgate has admitted he expects England to be without both Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell for England's Euro 2020 last-16 tie next week
Mount and Chilwell have been put into self-isolation after meeting with Scotland's Billy Gilmour after their 0-0 draw with England at Wembley last Friday
Mount embraced Chelsea colleague Gilmour - who has since tested positive for Covid-19
'They [Mason Mount & Ben Chilwell] are hugely disappointed to miss the games,' Southgate told ITV before kick-off at Wembley.
'We just have to get on with it. It is a bizarre situation, they have spent 120 seconds too long in a fairly open space. It is full of contradictions for me but we will get on with it.
'Frankly, I don't understand it at all. There are teams travelling around by coach, by plane, in enclosed spaces for hours and our two boys have been pinged for something that's... yeah, I don't get it.
'As
