ROSS: I CAN LOCK DOWN LIONS SLOT

ROSS BARKLEY’S determination to win back his England place led to days and nights during lockdown analysing his games.

And while the wait for a Three Lions return might go on at least it earned the midfielder a loan move to Aston Villa.

Now thanks to some stunning performances under Villa boss Dean Smith the one-time Everton whizz-kid, 26, is believed to be back in manager Gareth Southgate’s thoughts.

There were some raised eyebrows when Borussia Dortmund’s 17-year-old star Jude Bellingham was called up by Southgate rather than Barkley (above) for the triple header against Republic of

Ireland, Belgium and Iceland. Barkley though, who has been capped 33 times by England, hasn’t thrown in the towel and admitted the thought of renewing his international adventure drove him on during some dark moments at Chelsea.

Only four of his 21 league appearances at Stamford Bridge lasted 90 minutes, which led to some soul-searching when the country went into lockdown in March.

He revealed: “During that period I decided to watch a lot of my games.

“It’s because I have always had an obsession to try and improve my game. I live for football.”

Villa boss Smith took Barkley and has been delighted to see the player form a partnership with

Jack Grealish. Barkley added: “I believe that if I keep on putting in the performances at Villa then England will take care of itself.

“The last couple of years before joining Villa has really been stop-start, performing and then being left out of the team.

“But I’ve never given up on being part of next year’s European Championships.”

Former Aston Villa star Gabby Agbonlahor said: “He knows that even if he has an off game he’ll still play in the next game.

“At Chelsea he was in and out of the team.

“I would think that Villa would love to make the move permanent.”

And by then Barkley could once again be an England player.