England skipper Wayne Rooney believes that Everton youngster Ross Barkley has still got "a lot of learning to do" before he can nail down a regular starting spot for both club and country.
The 21-year-old has not yet been fully trusted by Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson to run the midfield, instead being made to make do with appearances from the bench in recent times.
Rooney acknowledges that his international teammate is one for the future, but perhaps not yet ready for the demands of regular football at the highest level.
"Ross is a fantastic talent," the Manchester United striker is quoted as saying by The Telegraph. "He's a big strong lad, quick and uses both feet.
"He's obviously got a lot of learning to do in his game but he's got such a bright future. Ability-wise it's incredible really. Some of the things you see him do in training is fantastic. It's on him now to go and do that in the games.
"What I've seen of him playing for Everton, training with England and the times he has come on for England, he is a fantastic player with a really bright future."
Barkley played the full 90 minutes on 18 occasions for Everton in the Premier League last season.
Daniel Lewis
