GARETH SOUTHGATE has told TV viewers to expect X-rated language in tonight’s Nations League clash with Croatia.

The England manager warned Sky Sports to be careful where they put microphones, with fans banned from Rijeka’s HNK Stadium.

And Southgate has also urged his players to try to avoid using extremely offensive swear words.

He said: “We’ve spent two years encouraging them to speak, so to stop them from speaking now could be slightly against what we’ve been working on.

“It’s for the television companies to decide where they put their microphones.

“It’s something we can’t prepare for.”

Croatia were handed a two-game fan ban after an image of a swastika appeared on their pitch before a Euro 2016 qualifier.

Southgate added: “It will be a strange experience.

“We do it every day of our lives, training in front of a handful of people watching, so it’s not totally unique.

“But in a match situation it’s different. For our travelling fans, who were brilliant for us all summer and many of whom haven’t missed an England game for years, it’s unfortunate.”

Southgate, who also has a game in Spain on Monday, has been hit by injuries to Luke Shaw, Danny Rose, Danny Welbeck and Alex McCarthy.

They have all returned to their clubs.