Football
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Danny Rose relishing battle with Ryan Bertrand for England left-back spot

Danny Rose is thriving on his friendly rivalry with Ryan Bertrand for England's left-back slot at Euro 2016.

With Luke Shaw injured, Rose and Bertrand were chosen ahead of Leighton Baines, Kieran Gibbs and Aaron Cresswell to contest the jersey in France.

Tottenham full-back Rose was given first chance to impress in the 2-1 win over Turkey on Sunday, playing the full 90 minutes and somewhat surprisingly walking away with the man-of-the-match award.

Southampton's Bertrand could well get the nod when Australia visit the Stadium of Light on Friday as manager Roy Hodgson ponders his options, but Rose insists the pair have a strong relationship and are happy to support each other.

"Ryan is probably one of my closest friends here. I feel lucky to be fighting this out with him,'' Rose said. "I've known him for a long time, I eat dinner with him, I spend a lot of spare time with him and I wouldn't want to be up against anyone else.

"We have a laugh and I don't find it weird [competing with him]. Strangely enough if I was to lose out to him obviously I'd be gutted, but I wouldn't have any ill feelings towards him. I'd be cheering him on all the way.''

While the pair may be vying for a single shirt at France, they have played together in the past. They were teammates with England Under-21s and again for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics.

Rose frequently played on the left side of midfield, with Bertrand in the back four, but is now established as a defender.

"We first met at England Under-17s, we played in the under-21s for two years,'' Rose said. "There's a good relationship there. I know first-hand how good Ryan is at left-back because I've played in front of him.

"But I will push Ryan every step of the way in training, and in the friendlies I'm chosen to play in. May the best man win.''

Rose, who was winning only his third cap against Turkey, was pleased with his overall display but spoke honestly about his role in the visitors' goal, when he allowed Volkan Sen to burst into space on the right wing and set up Hakan Calhanoglu to cancel out Harry Kane's opener.

"I think I might be a bit lucky considering I put myself at fault for the first goal,'' he said of the man-of-the-match honours. "I take full blame, definitely. I was up against a very good player, as you will be at international level, and it was one of the toughest games I've had this season.

"But the lads helped me keep my head up for the rest of the game and I feel like I did better in the second half.

"I have to thank my teammates for that. I'm playing in front of a class goalkeeper in Joe Hart and he's forever talking to me throughout the game and he helped me pick my head up, as did the other lads.''

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