Leon Osman: 'Gareth Barry can return to England squad for World Cup'

Everton midfielder Leon Osman believes that Gareth Barry has enough quality to get himself back into the England squad for next year's World Cup in Brazil.

The 32-year-old has dropped down the pecking order in the Three Lions setup due to his failure to keep a regular spot in Manchester City's first-team.

However, the midfielder has been an integral figure in Everton's latest fixtures after moving to the Merseyside outfit on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day.

"I don't see why not," the Liverpool Daily Post quotes Osman as saying. "I think most English players in the Premier League are getting their head down at the moment and hoping things go their way. It's a long season and a long time until that comes so we will concentrate on what's ahead of us."

England secured their place in next year's finals by defeating Poland 2-0 at Wembley in their final World Cup qualifier earlier this month.