Boss gives Ross a boost for future
ROSS BARKLEY has been assured he still has a big future with England. The Everton midfielder was on the bench against both Germany and Lithuania.
He and Nathaniel Clyne were the only two outfield players not to play a minute in the two games.
Barkley has not made an international appearance since coming on as a second-half substitute against Australia on May 27 last year.
But England boss Gareth Southgate has reassured him he is still part of his plans.
Southgate said: “I had a good chat with Ross because he’ll be a bit frustrated not to get on.
“He’s a player I’d wanted to get into the game, but firstly he’s earned his recall to the squad because he’s been playing well with Everton.
“I think he is a player that can make things happen around the edge of the penalty area.
“The changes against Lithuania, I felt we needed to stretch the opposition and make space for Dele (Alli) and Adam (Lallana) to play.
“So I was going to be bringing on another player that plays in front of their defence. That’s why we didn’t bring him into the game.
“But we like him, he’s a talented player. He’s just got to keep playing well.
“It’s the first time I’ve had the chance to work with him since the Under-21s, so it was good for him to get a feel for how we work and he’s just got to keep doing well.”