England manager Gareth Southgate is reportedly prepared to overlook Danny Drinkwater for selection in future after the Chelsea midfielder declined an invitation to join up with the national side.

Southgate revealed on Thursday that the 27-year-old turned down the opportunity to feature in the prestige friendlies with Germany and Brazil as he instead wants to focus on returning to full fitness at Chelsea.

Sky Sports News reports that Drinkwater's international future now looks bleak, with the Three Lions boss prepared to turn elsewhere for midfield options ahead of next year's World Cup finals in Russia.

Asked on Thursday if the midfielder will be in his plans for the next batch of friendlies in March, Southgate told reporters: "I've no idea.

"I can't hypothesise over who I might be calling in March. I have no idea of how he feels or where he's at physically."

Drinkwater has started one game since joining Chelsea from Leicester City in the summer, last completing 90 minutes while still with the Foxes in April.