The Tottenham playmaker was a notable omission for the Three Lions at this summer's tournament in Germany but the midfielder had to take the coach's decision on the chin.

Asked if he accepted his exclusion, Maddison said: "Well you have no choice. You can’t change it once it’s happened. I was disappointed."

The player described Southgate as a "great man" and revealed that he sent him a message after he resigned as England boss following defeat to Spain in the final.

Maddison said: "Gareth’s a great man though. He explained his reasons. He’s a good person. It was never personal, we have a great relationship actually.

"I messaged him not long ago to congratulate him on his England managerial career and wished him well.

"There’s no hatred towards that. I knew it was a business decision, which he thought was best for the team, no doubt about that.

"I didn’t agree with him. I felt I could have brought something to the squad, but like I said, that’s all in the past now and my focus is to just have a good season."

Maddison's performances dipped towards the end of last season after missing two months with an ankle injury but is using the disappointment at his international snub as "fuel" to get back to his best this term.

He said: "I struggled to find the consistency second half of last season post-injury.

"It’s always about how you deal with setbacks. I was devastated to miss out on the Euros but my network around me, my dad especially, he would never let me dwell on that and let it define me.

"I’m hungry this season to do well, to use it as motivation, to remind me that I can be at that level."