Jack Grealish dons hilarious shoulder-length blond WIG as he lets his hair down after England exile

Appearing on alongside legendary presenter Jeff Stelling, Merson was asked about the thoughts of Gordon and Palmer's zero minutes so far, revealing a theory about avoiding conflict in the camp.

The 56-year-old said: "That's why they're there and Jack Grealish is not there. Because Jack, I imagine, would be going mad now. I can't imagine Gordon and Palmer saying anything.

"I just imagine them sitting there, just saying to himself; 'Well, maybe I should be getting on'.

"I don't see him saying anything to him. I could see a Grealish going to Gareth and going; 'Why am I not playing?'"

He continued: "I think he brings on Eze, who's one of our most gifted players to do a job, he's running back.

"He puts Bowen on the other side, Bowen's alright if you want to keep a lead, you know if we're winning like we were last week [against Serbia].

"We're one-nil up, you put him out on the right, he'll do what it says on the tin, get up and down, block crosses, get crosses in.

"But you don't put him on to win a game in my opinion. You know there's horses for courses.

"You've got to put Palmer on, he scored 20 goals this season. You know he can play with that bit of flair. Eze gets on and he doesn't touch the ball hardly, there's no plan.

"You know I would play Watkins but I'd have to keep Kane in the team. I'd have to find a way because you know you have to keep world class players on the football pitch."

Meanwhile, Southgate said of his decision to chop Grealish: "I have just delivered a really difficult conversation to a lad who is devastated. I think the world of him as a kid.

"It certainly doesn’t get any easier. You put yourself in the shoes of a player, a parent.

"You understand that for these players this is a devastating moment. We knew we had a couple of really difficult days coming up.

"The whole period has been tough, going back to talking to Marcus Rashford and Hendo (Jordan Henderson). Lots of difficult calls. But we have worked through all of that."

ENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance - but still managed to top Group C.

England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.

SunSport's Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.

Jordan Pickford - 6

Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.

Kieran Trippier - 6

The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.

Marc Guehi - 7

Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.

John Stones - 6

One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.

Kyle Walker - 5

Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.

Conor Gallagher - 4

Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.

Declan Rice - 7

Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.

Phil Foden - 7

Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.

Jude Bellingham - 5

Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.

Bukayo Saka - 6

Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.

Harry Kane - 6

Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.

Substitutes

Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) - 7

Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.

Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) - 7

Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) - 6

Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.

Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) - 6

Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.