World Cup

Ross Barkley, Ravel Morrison 'on England's radar'

By Mark Langshaw, Reporter | 16 October 2013

England boss Roy Hodgson says that youngsters such as Ross Barkley, Ravel Morrison and Kieran Gibbs are in contention for a squad place in Brazil.

England manager Roy Hodgson has said that youngsters including Ross Barkley, Ravel Morrison and Kieran Gibbs are in with a shout of making the squad for next year's World Cup finals.

Everton's Barkley and Arsenal's Gibbs have spent time with the Three Lions senior squad, while West Ham United star Morrison has impressed at Under-21 level.

"We've got a big nucleus of players who we've used, tried and tested in these recent squads," Hodgson told talkSPORT.

"We've got that nucleus already but we've got to keep a very close eye on the younger ones in the squad; the Barkleys, the Kieran Gibbs, who haven't spent as much time with us but look very interesting.

"Then of course you've got some exciting talent breaking through in the Under-21s."

Hodgson went on to praise Morrison for his performance in England Under-21s' 5-0 victory over Lithuania, in which the Hammers star found the net twice.

"He was very good and his goal shows all his qualities; his poise, his balance and not least of all his composure," he added. "That step over to beat the goalkeeper was a bit special I thought. I was delighted with his performance."

England booked their place in Brazil with a 2-0 win over Poland.