The interim manager was preparing the squad for Saturday’s clash with Malta having replaced Sam Allardyce last week.
Southgate had to ‘step up’ to the task following revelations about Allardyce in the Daily Telegraph’s investigation into corruption in football.
Allardyce parted company with the FA last Tuesday after just one game in charge and left Southgate to pick up the pieces.
And the former Middlesbrough boss is keen to take his chance in the four games he’s been given.
Southgate starts with Malta at Wembley before taking on Slovenia on Tuesday.
He then faces Scotland in November and a friendly against Spain.
His first squad saw a few surprises with Glen Johnson recalled for the first time since 2014, but the Stoke defender has had to pull out through injury.
Southgate: I felt it was important to step forward
Michael Keane has been called up to replace him but there was still no place for Jack Wilshere or Ross Barkley who were dropped by Allardyce for the Slovakia game.
Marcus Rashford has returned to the senior set up after scoring a hat-trick on his Under-21 debut.
Southgate is not sure he wants the job on a full-time basis but is open to seeing how things play out.
He has kept faith in struggling Wayne Rooney as captain despite Jose Mourinho dropping him at Manchester United.
Rooney has started on the bench for United’s last three games but looks set to keep his place on Saturday and there could be a debut for Jesse Lingard.
And Rooney has called for unity following a tough week.
"We need to build on the three points we won in the last game (against Slovakia),” Rooney said. “And the other side of it isn't our issue, it's nothing for us to be concerned about.
"It's a shame, everyone could see how excited Sam was for the job and he came in and showed that enthusiasm to the players. It's a shame it's happened and I'm sure he deeply regrets it. It was a decision for the FA to take.
"As a group of players we need to stick together and concentrate on the football. For the FA I'm sure it has been a tough couple of weeks but for the players we've been with our clubs and we have to focus on the games."
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The interim manager was preparing the squad for Saturday’s clash with Malta having replaced Sam Allardyce last week.
Southgate had to ‘step up’ to the task following revelations about Allardyce in the Daily Telegraph’s investigation into corruption in football.
Allardyce parted company with the FA last Tuesday after just one game in charge and left Southgate to pick up the pieces.
And the former Middlesbrough boss is keen to take his chance in the four games he’s been given.
Southgate starts with Malta at Wembley before taking on Slovenia on Tuesday.
He then faces Scotland in November and a friendly against Spain.
His first squad saw a few surprises with Glen Johnson recalled for the first time since 2014, but the Stoke defender has had to pull out through injury.
Southgate: I felt it was important to step forward
Michael Keane has been called up to replace him but there was still no place for Jack Wilshere or Ross Barkley who were dropped by Allardyce for the Slovakia game.
Marcus Rashford has returned to the senior set up after scoring a hat-trick on his Under-21 debut.
Southgate is not sure he wants the job on a full-time basis but is open to seeing how things play out.
He has kept faith in struggling Wayne Rooney as captain despite Jose Mourinho dropping him at Manchester United.
Rooney has started on the bench for United’s last three games but looks set to keep his place on Saturday and there could be a debut for Jesse Lingard.
And Rooney has called for unity following a tough week.
"We need to build on the three points we won in the last game (against Slovakia),” Rooney said. “And the other side of it isn't our issue, it's nothing for us to be concerned about.
"It's a shame, everyone could see how excited Sam was for the job and he came in and showed that enthusiasm to the players. It's a shame it's happened and I'm sure he deeply regrets it. It was a decision for the FA to take.
"As a group of players we need to stick together and concentrate on the football. For the FA I'm sure it has been a tough couple of weeks but for the players we've been with our clubs and we have to focus on the games."