England manager Sam Allardyce has insisted that the "door will always be open" for Ross Barkley after the Everton midfielder was not included in the international squad.
Allardyce, who was appointed as Roy Hodgson's successor last month, named his first squad as England boss last night.
West Ham United's Michail Antonio received his first ever call-up to the senior team, but Barkley, who has begun the domestic season in positive form, was a notable absentee.
"We've had to make some very difficult decisions - none more so than Ross Barkley, which for him is disappointing and for me, I have to make these difficult decisions," Allardyce told reporters in this morning's press conference.
"The door will always be open for Ross, but I felt at this moment, the squad I've picked is the right one."
Barkley was in Hodgson's squad for Euro 2016 in France earlier this summer, but he did not make an appearance during the tournament.
England will take on Slovakia in their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier on September 4.
Danielle Joynson
