Roma chief Tiago Pinto has hit out at England coach Gareth Southgate for ignoring Tammy Abraham and Chris Smalling.

Pinto says both players should be going to the World Cup.

He declared: “I cannot accept, both Roma and the representatives of other clubs, that people try to justify international call-ups with what is happening at club level.

“If Tammy is not part of the England squad because he didn't score over the last month, for example, but they called up a player who was on the bench for his club yesterday, then in that case Smalling ought to be a starter for England."

He added: “I want to say we are satisfied with Tammy, but always with the perspective that he can still improve, and I am sure he will do.

“We're pleased to see our players go to the World Cup, because it is important for them, but I cannot accept that after a call-up there is talk about the way these lads work at Roma as justification for a personal choice."