Wednesday 25 March 2015 15:59, UK
Everton defender Phil Jagielka has backed team-mate Ross Barkley to become a future England star.
Last year Goodison Park boss Roberto Martinez claimed Barkley would be 'the best player England ever had', but the midfielder has failed to live up the accolade this season.
But despite his dip in form this campaign, national boss Roy Hodgson has included him in his squad for the European Qualifier against Lithuania on Friday and next week's friendly with Italy.
Ross will have to bide his time and when he does get the opportunities for England, keep doing the way he has, keep playing well, keep being positive.
And Jagielka is convinced his team-mate will grab the chance to cement his place in Hodgson's plans for the finals of the championships in France next year.
"I think it is difficult for Ross with the position he would try and get in the team," said the former Sheffield United defender.
"We have got a fantastic amount of midfielders that come away with England and quite a lot who want to play in the similar position.
"I think Ross will have to bide his time and when he does get the opportunities for England, keep doing the way he has, keep playing well, keep being positive.
"Hopefully when he gets that chance to play two or three games on the spin, that is his chance to keep the shirt and make it much harder for someone to take it off him."
England's friendly against Italy in Turin next week could see Joe Hart become the youngest goalkeeper to reach half a century of England caps and Jagielka praised the Manchester City stopper.
'Fantastic'
City crashed out of the Champions League last week, but Hart's display against Barcelona at the Nou Camp was vital in keeping his side's last-16 defeat to a respectable 1-0.
Jagielka said: "We were away and we watched the Barcelona game. We were pretty much laughing at the performance from Joe. It was just one of those nights.
"It is normally the people scoring the goals and things like that who get the praise, but when Joe is needed he normally comes up trumps with some fantastic saves or some fantastic decisions in games. He is a pleasure to play in front of and he is a great kid, a great guy."
The 33-year-old believes it is "onwards and upwards" in terms of Hart's England career, and insists he will 'keep turning up' himself until told otherwise.
"I am fully aware that I am not getting any younger, but by the same extent I am really enjoying my football at the moment," he added.
"I really enjoy obviously meeting up with England and I am desperate to try and battle for, keep or whatever situation I am with, my place at the moment for as long as I possibly can.
"I've got no plans to do anything else. Until they tell me they don't want me, unfortunately I am going to keep turning up."
