Jagielka is philosophical over his future
GARETH SOUTHGATE won’t announce his squad for the World Cup clash with Scotland until later today.
Phil Jagielka confesses he is in the dark over the interim manager’s plans for him.
The veteran Everton centre-half was left out of Roy Hodgson’s 23 for Euro 2016, but recalled by Sam Allardyce for his single game in charge before his infamous fall from grace.
Then Jagielk a was included by Southgate in his first squad for the games against Slovenia and Malta.
However, the 34- yearold had to pull out of those matches through injury, and knows he now faces a growing threat from youngsters such as Burnley’s Michael Keane and Ben Gibson of Middlesbrough.
“As far as going forward is concerned, I couldn’t honestly tell you where I stand,” says Jagielka, who has been around the squad for eight years and has won 39 caps.
“I know that if many more young centre-halves come through, then there isn’t much of a future for me at international level.
“Having said that, I am sure I’m still handy enough to have around at certain times, so that might be my role in the future.
“I fully understood Roy Hodgson’s reasons for not taking me to the Euros.
“Even John Stones didn’t get a minute on the pitch, so there would have been zero chance of me getting any game-time. It was the right decision.
“Since then, we’ve have two new managers in the space of a few months, so all I can do is concentrate on doing well for Everton.”
Jagielka had to withdraw from last month’s World Cup qualifiers because of a thigh injury. But he wasn’t the only one.
Raheem Sterling, Tom Heaton, Ryan Bertrand and Glen Johnson also pulled out.
But Jagielka doesn’t believe that the withdrawals show any lack of commitment.
“I think the schedule is mad,” he says. “Sports science tells us how we should recover after games, but we’ re expected to play more matches and still be at a crazy level physically.
“It’s difficult for national coaches. They can’t run players into the ground like they do at club level because they aren’t their players.
“I’m not surprised when I see lads playing for their clubs after pulling out of a squad because resting for 10 days can be massive.
“Gareth fully understands because he was an international player himself.
“Gone are the days when you could accuse players of pulling out for no reason. So I don’t think there are too many question marks about our commitment.”