Conor Gallagher and Trent Alexander-Arnold - the two most experienced contenders to partner Declan Rice at the European Championship-completed 90 minutes at St James' Park, though the latter played the final half-hour at rightback, scoring England's second goal.
Southgate felt Gallagher played with "real maturity" and was "very pleased" with Alexander-Arnold, but enough doubts linger about each to suggest the manager could yet go with a different option in England's opening game, against Serbia on June 16.
Gallagher was combative and industrious, but he is occasionally wasteful in possession, while Alexander-Arnold is still learning to play centrally and his raking switches of play were often wasted with the right-footed Kieran Trippier at left-back.
"That is the unknown," said Southgate, when asked if the Liverpool full-back could start a tournament game in midfield.
Perhaps one of Monday's biggest winners, therefore, was Adam Wharton. The 20-year-old Crystal Palace midfielder came off the bench for the final 30 minutes and did not look out of place in a composed debut at the base of midfield.
"[I'm] really pleased with what he has done," said Southgate. "He is a very calm boy, he seems to have taken everything in his stride. When you talk to him, he is just pretty unflappable, as he was on the pitch.
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