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Dele Alli has been told that England's World Cup hopes could hinge on his good behaviour in Russia
WATCH IT, DELE

Dele Alli told to think before he acts by Gareth Southgate Spurs star returns from ban

Tottenham and England playmaker has been warned by the Three Lions boss that his country's hopes could hinge on his good behaviour

GARETH SOUTHGATE has warned Dele Alli to think before he acts.

Dele returns from his one-match ban for the Three Lions' final World Cup qualifier in Lithuania tonight.

 Dele Alli has been told that England's World Cup hopes could hinge on his good behaviour in Russia
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Dele Alli has been told that England's World Cup hopes could hinge on his good behaviour in RussiaCredit: Rex Features

And boss Southgate said: "Dele doesn't always think about the possible consequences - he's 21. All of us, at 21, don't always make the right decisions.

"But as a coach you support him. As he gets older, he'll make more good decisions in all areas.

"He understands his responsibilities, that the spotlight is on him even more now that his career is progressing.

"It's easy for me to sit here and say this is how he should be but it's different in the middle of a game because everyone has different personalities."

 Gareth Southgate has a world with Dele Alli after England qualify for the World Cup thanks to a late winner from Harry Kane against Slovenia
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Gareth Southgate has a world with Dele Alli after England qualify for the World Cup thanks to a late winner from Harry Kane against SloveniaCredit: Rex Features
 Dele Alli has been training with the England team ahead of his return from suspension
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Dele Alli has been training with the England team ahead of his return from suspensionCredit: Getty Images

Dele's international ban came for a middle-finger gesture during England's 2-1 win over Slovakia last month.

The Tottenham forward was also booked for diving last weekend and got a retrospective three-game ban in April 2016 for punching West Brom's Claudio Yacob.

David Beckham was infamously sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone as England crashed out of the 1998 World Cup to Argentina on penalties.

And former Spurs star Darren Anderton said: "I remember England boss Glenn Hoddle warning Becks at Le Tournoi in 1997.

 Dele Alli went full Tony Pulis as he sat in the stands during the England versus Slovenia game at Wembley
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Dele Alli went full Tony Pulis as he sat in the stands during the England versus Slovenia game at WembleyCredit: Reuters
 Dele Alli in training for England during their preparations for the final World Cup qualifier against Lithuania
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Dele Alli in training for England during their preparations for the final World Cup qualifier against LithuaniaCredit: Rex Features

"He got booked in a couple of games for something petulant and Glenn said, 'If you do that next year it could cost us'.

"The next year it did happen. I don't say it was down to Becks, it was down to poor refereeing and gamesmanship.

"But Dele needs to listen and be aware it can happen."

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