Gareth Southgate warned Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood that trust needs to be rebuilt before their international return, with the England manager saying he would have dropped the duo regardless of safety concerns.
Three days after making their senior debuts in the narrow 1-0 win against Iceland, the youngsters had to watch the Three Lions' 0-0 Nations League draw in Denmark from home following their bio bubble breach.
Foden and Greenwood were banished from the squad after what Southgate called a "very serious" violation of strict coronavirus protocols, with footage emerging of the duo with local girls in Iceland.
"We weren't going to come out, be loose and frivolous and fold because of everything else that has been going on.
"We were focused on the job. We were a strong team of men. We needed that.
"We shouldn't have really been playing frankly: it doesn't work for the clubs, it doesn't work for the product of international football.
"Not ideal for any of the players but the games went ahead and I really have to praise the effort and the endeavour of the players enormously."
