Tom Ince rejects England Under-21s

Southgate revealed the player's snub at a press conference in Middlesbrough on Thursday to promote his side's upcoming friendlies against the Czech Republic U21s and Germany U21s.

Ince, who was a regular in the Under-21s' successful European Championship qualifying campaign, made his decision clear to Southgate in discussions which also involved the player's father, former England captain Paul Ince.

Southgate said: "I have had discussions with Tom and his dad over the last week or so and he has decided he does not want to considered for the Under-21s.

"I have to say I was surprised. He has obviously been a regular for us all the way through the campaign.

"But he feels at this moment in time he has got some priorities at club level. There is some uncertainty about where he is going to be at club level next season."

Ince is currently on loan at Derby having failed to hold down a regular first team place at the KC Stadium.

The 23-year-old's domestic career has floundered since he left Liverpool to join Blackpool in 2011.

He joined Hull on a free transfer when his contract expired at Bloomfield Road in 2014, but within three months he was sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest.

Southgate's side face the Czech Republic in Prague on March 27 before taking on the Germans at the Riverside Stadium on March 30.

The 24-man squad announced for the two fixtures includes a first call-up for 19-year-old Southampton defender Matt Targett.