Everton assistant boss Graeme Jones has predicted that a fully-rested Ross Barkley will return to the kind of form that got him picked for the World Cup last year.
Barkley's impressive campaign in 2013-14 saw him called up to the England squad for the Brazil tournament last summer, but the youngster struggled to match his performances last term as the Toffees laboured to a bottom-half finish.
However, Jones feels that Barkley will once again catch the eye after a summer break away from football.
Jones told the club's official magazine: "The season before last he came back to pre-season late because he had been playing in another summer tournament, so it has been constant [playing].
"After a while your freshness leaves you and you can become a little stale. Ross gives everything he has got every single day. He loves his football and has got the right attitude and aptitude for the job.
"The players are human beings, not robots – and like everyone else they need a break in order to get stronger."
Barkley made his England debut in September 2013 against Moldova.
Paul Gorst
