Harvey’s got what it takes to star for Southgate
NEIL MOXLEY
BRENDAN RODGERS believes Harvey Barnes has plenty of time to force his way into the England reckoning – even if the call doesn’t come this week.
Leicester City’s boss reckons the winger – capped once for his country as a late substitute against Wales two years ago – is now hitting the heights after a long spell on the sidelines with an injury.
Barnes (below) scored the winner against Leeds last week and played an integral part of the Europa Conference League win over Rennes.
With Three Lions’ chief Gareth Southgate due to name his latest squad on Thursday, Barnes may have thrust himself into the reckoning.
But even if he hasn’t, the Foxes boss says time remains on the winger’s side before the World Cup gets under way in Qatar in eight months’ time.
He said: “I don’t think time is running out for Harvey.
“There’s plenty of time to go and plenty can happen in that period.
“All he can do is perform as he has been at the moment.
“He’s fit and available and you can see when he is at that level, he’s creating and scoring. He’s a real threat – such an exciting player when he’s on his game.
“And he’s getting back to the fitness levels that allow him to do that consistently.
“I’m pretty sure
Gareth will be assessing him and looking at him continually.
“He’s developing – that’s the key.
“There were certain elements of his game – when he got into certain positions – where you could read what he was going to do. You can’t do that now.
“He’s constantly working. His goal against Leeds was a good example of him at his best. His finish was sublime.”