MX23RW : Friday, December 20 07:18:55| >> :120:40962:40962:

Romelu Lukaku: 'Ross Barkley is perfect partner'

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku believes that teammate Ross Barkley will become a key player for both club and country.

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has backed teammate Ross Barkley to become a star for both club and country.

The England international returned to action against Aston Villa on Saturday after missing the opening seven games of the Premier League season with a knee ligament injury.

Barkley assisted Lukaku's goal in the 3-0 win at Goodison Park, and the Belgian is delighted to be playing alongside the 20-year-old midfielder again.

"He is like a friend and brother to me off the pitch," Lukaku told Everton's official website. "I am very happy that he is back on it because he brings something that the whole team needs.

"He has that rawness, that skill, that power. He is a perfect partner for me to play up front with and I am very happy that he is back.

"There are loads of players who can help me, but he has something that none of us have. I can't explain it. He is the best player in our team. He will be somebody that the England team will rely on."

Everton travel to Lille in the Europa League on Thursday.

ID:183594: cacheID:183594:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2002:
Written by
Steven Toplis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Everton's Ross Barkley celebrates after scoring the opening goal against QPR during their FA Cup third round match on January 4, 2013
Read Next:
Martinez: Barkley "was born to play football"
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Broncos
@
Chargers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!