Thursday 26 June 2014 12:11, UK
Everton defender John Stones admits he was left disappointed by his omission from the England squad for this summer’s World Cup.
Stones was named in England’s training squad ahead of the finals in Brazil but failed to make Roy Hodgson's 23-man travelling party.
And speaking at the launch of Everton’s new home strip for next season the youngster said it was difficult to watch his international colleagues play in the World Cup while sitting at home.
“I was disappointed not to make the final squad to be honest. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t,” Stones told Sky Sports News.
“I think anyone in my position would have been upset to go home and watch the team that you’ve been with for the warm-up games on the television.
It was difficult taking the flight home and watching it on the TV but I really wished them well because I know how hard they worked and sadly it didn’t work out.
“It was difficult taking the flight home and watching it on the TV but I really wished them well because I know how hard they worked and sadly it didn’t work out.”
Stones enjoyed a breakthrough season at Everton which culminated in making his England debut in the friendly against Peru at Wembley last month.
He also featured in the World Cup warm-up match against Ecuador in Miami and the 20-year-old is enthusiastic about England’s future with a new generation of young players coming to the fore.
“I took it as a great experience and I will never forget being out there with them,” he said.
“You can’t value that sort of time with the senior squad and learning off such good players. I’m just going to have to take that back to Everton and keep learning and progressing.
“I think there is such a wide range of players playing for England with different skills or different things that they can bring to the game and it’s looking very positive for the future.”
