Roy Hodgson: 'Ross Barkley is continuing to improve'

England manager Roy Hodgson has encouraged Everton midfielder Ross Barkley to keep working on his game as he looks to establish himself in the starting lineup for the Three Lions.

Barkley has impressed in England's last two matches, and ahead of Friday's friendly with Spain, the 21-year-old has been praised by his national team boss.

Hodgson is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "My opinion hasn't changed since we brought him into the squad – and it feels like an eternity ago, certainly well over two years ago. He is a bright young talent.

"We have seen him improve on a weekly and monthly basis. Every time he has come to us we think he is a bit better.

"I feel like the future is incredibly bright for a player like Ross Barkley and it is up to him, as he has said so many times himself, to keep working, to keep developing his game and improving and making sure that whenever the team is announced I cannot possibly leave him out."

Barkley has scored twice in 17 appearances for his country.