Phil Jagielka hopeful over England call

Everton defender Phil Jagielka is hopeful that his return to fitness can coincide with earning a place in England's World Cup squad this month.

Jagielka returned to first-team duties for the first time since February following a hamstring injury in the Toffees' 3-2 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.

Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson, who was present for the defeat to City, is due to name his 23-man panel for the trip to Brazil on May 12, and the 31-year-old is optimistic over his chances of making the plane.

He told Sky Sports News: "I am not the best watcher, I get quite grumpy. I have had to bide my time and it has been frustrating. It's nice to get out there and play 60 odd minutes.

"Touch wood, nothing is hurting yet so I will step up training next week and hopefully get a bit longer under my belt next weekend and wait for a positive phone call after that."

The centre-half has played 25 times for his country since 2010.