Everton trio named in England squad

Ross Barkley, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka have all been selected by England for their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Montenegro at Wembley next week.

Barkley was rewarded for a fine start to the season with an England debut in last month's qualifier at home to Moldova before watching the away draw with Ukraine from the bench four days later.

The 19-year-old has maintained his fine form in a blue shirt, scoring his second goal of the season against Newcastle on Monday, earning himself another call-up to the senior side.

Jagielka is the most likely of the three to start, he has formed a solid central defensive partnership with Chelsea's Gary Cahill in recent months and looks set to earn his 22nd cap against Poland next Friday.

Baines should win his 20th cap but Roy Hodgson still appears (inexplicably) to favour Chelsea's Ashley Cole, meaning the Toffees left-back will probably begin as a substitute.

England currently top their group and know two wins will seal qualification, but with Ukraine and Montenegro just a point behind, they also realise there is little margin for error.

Jags said:

"It's pleasing to be involved for two such important games. I've managed to play quite a few of the recent games and obviously it's crunch time now, so hopefully we can get two positive results and book our ticket to Brazil in the summer."

Youngster John Stones has also been called up for international duty, he been included in the England Under-21s squad for the Euro 2015 qualifiers against San Marino and Lithuania.