Everton duo John Stones and Ross Barkley have today both been selected in England manager Roy Hodgson’s final 23 man squad for the forthcoming European Football Championships to be held in France next month.
As the final cuts were made from the 26 man provisional squad, Manchester City’s injured midfielder Fabian Delph missed out, along with Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater and Newcastle’s Andros Townsend. Where as Stones place was more or less assured given the decision to select just three central defenders, Barkley was allegedly one of those in threat of missing out. However the Liverpool born midfielder had clearly done enough in the eyes of the management to earn his place, this despite just one appearance from the bench in the two recent friendly matches.
Whilst both Stones and Barkley look as though they will be missing out on starting berths, there is every chance that they will be able to add to their current tally of international caps over the coming weeks as part of a young and exciting England side.