England U21 boss Southgate won't banish Stephens

England U21 coach Gareth Southgate won't punish Jack Stephens the red card that wrecked his England Under 21 debut.

The Southampton centre back, who is on loan at Middlesbrough, was sent off in the 0-0 draw with Bosnia on Thursday but he will not suffer the same fate as Andre Wisdom, the only other player to be shown a red card in Southgate's two-year reign.

Wisdom received a four-match UEFA suspension for kicking Finland's Tim Vayrynen in September 2013 but Southgate went a step further and took the captaincy away from him and never selected the Liverpool defender again for his breach of discipline.

"I talk to the lads a lot about discipline," said Southgate. "In two years (in qualifying games) we have only had two draws (from 15 games). The only time we have dropped points has been when we have been down to 10 men. I've told them it is really difficult to win games from that position.

"But I didn't see it as a loss of control or an unnecessary foul. Jack has tried to cover. He has been committed. I didn't speak too much to him afterwards but I told him there would be no recriminations for him. We will lift him up."