'We've got to keep a lid on it' - Southgate looks to ease Sancho hype

England manager Gareth Southgate is looking to "keep a lid" on the hype surrounding Jadon Sancho following the youngster's first England cap.

The 18-year-old is the leader in assists across Europe's top five leagues with eight already for Borussia Dortmund this season.

His fine form with the Bundesliga club prompted his first England call-up and, ultimately, his first cap in a 0-0 draw with Croatia.

Sancho looked comfortable in his 22 minutes on the field, but Southgate is looking to keep expectations under control surrounding the young star.

“We wouldn’t have put him into that game 20 minutes from the end unless we knew [about his quality],” Southgate said. “I guess we’ve just got to keep a lid on [the hype].

“I’ve briefly had a bit of time with him when he was an under-15 in one of our camps, but also I’ve spent a lot of time talking to other youth coaches to get a good insight into his personality and how he is, just so we were able to help him settle as quickly as possible.

“He’s actually quite a quiet lad around the place, but, of course, he’s very confident on the field and he showed that belief in his spell he had on the field. I don’t think it’s so relevant whether he starts or is a sub in terms of the impact he’ll have.

“I just think that’s part of him gaining strength in the game and understanding at Dortmund of how they’re playing and then with us just easing him into the way we play and the environment. The Champions League games he’s had, he’s had a really good impact as well.”

Sancho could earn his second cap as soon as Monday when the Three Lions take on Spain in Seville in a Nations League clash.

England currently sit second in the group with one point through two matches while Spain is perfect through their first two matches of the competition.