Roy Keane has questioned why Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell felt the need to speak with Chelsea team-mate Billy Gilmour following last Friday's England vs Scotland clash.
The pair missed England's 1-0 win over the Czech Republic at Wembey after being told to self-isolate after Gilmour tested positive for Covid-19.
It's a move that has bemused many, with none of the Scotland squad having to isolate. But Chilwell and Mount were pictured talking closely to their club team-mate after the goalless draw at Wembley last week.
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While many, including England boss Gareth Southgate, have questioned the sanctions, Keane took a slightly different stance, speaking on ITV ahead of the game.
“I think the only thing I’d be critical of is why would you want to speak to an opposition player," former Sunderland manager Keane said.
"I don’t care if he’s your team-mate or not, for over 20 minutes. I very rarely speak to anybody for over five minutes. At the game, when you’ve been at war with somebody, why would you want to speak to anybody for that long? They could have used more common sense.”
However, speaking after the win, secured by Raheem Sterling's first-half goal, Keane didn't feel that Mount should be kept out of the side in the future.
Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka starred in the first half against the Czechs, but Mount - and Phil Foden - could return for England's last-16 game next Tuesday, against either France, Germany, Portugal or Hungary.
Asked whether Mount should be ruled out of the next game, Keane added: “No, not necessarily, he’s not let Gareth down before.
"It depends who they’re playing. If it’s Portugal, they might have a bit more possession, if it’s Germany, they might want to play with wing-backs.
"The French, it will be counter-attack, but what Gareth has is great options, that’s what you want as a manager but you’ve got to get it right, obviously.”
Meanwhile, former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville believes the England camp will be disappointed with the move, but felt they had no choice, especially with the sacrifices being made around the country.
“There’s no doubt that England had no option but to demonstrate integrity and tell the truth and obviously the cameras were down there in the tunnel," Neville added.
"There will be huge dissatisfaction in the England camp, but there will also be a lot of people at home who have abided by these rules for 12 months now and say why are footballers above them? I see the huge contradiction and dissatisfaction building and hope that these things end soon, but we know the rules.”
