Barkley must fight for chance - Southgate
England manager Gareth Southgate understands Ross Barkley’s frustration but says the playmaker will get his chance if he keeps playing well for Everton.
An upturn in form at Goodison Park saw the 23-year-old this month return to the Three Lions setup for the first time since Euro 2016.
But, just like in France last summer, Barkley failed to get any game time - one of two outfield players in the squad for the matches against Germany and Lithuania not to feature.
That disappointment was highlighted when the attacking midfielder liked a tweet showing he had not played a minute in the last seven England matches he was involved in.
“I had a good chat with Ross because he’ll be a bit frustrated not to get on against Lithuania,” Southgate said after the 2-0 World Cup qualifying win against Lithuania on Sunday.
“He’s a player I’d wanted to get into the game, so firstly he’s earned his call back into 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. But the changes (against Lithuania), I felt we needed to stretch the opposition more and to create space for the likes of Dele (Alli) and Adam (Lallana) to play.
“Iwasgoingtobebringing on another player that plays in front of the defence if I put Ross into it, so that’s why I didn’t put him into the game.
“But we like him, he’s a talented player and he’s just got to keep playing well.
“I never worked with him with the U21s, so I think it was good for him to get a feel of how we work.”