Smalling fails to pass Southgate's quality test

LONDON - Manchester United defender Chris Smalling's international future is in doubt after England manager Gareth Southgate said he had been overlooked for the latest squad due to reservations about his passing ability.

Southgate on Thursday included uncapped Liverpool defender Joe Gomez in an experimental 25-man squad for England's friendlies against Germany and Brazil later this month.

Chelsea's Gary Cahill, Manchester City's John Stones, Harry Maguire of Leicester City and Smalling's United teammate Phil Jones also made the cut at centerback.