Martinez tells Barkley - forget about England

Martinez tells Barkley - forget about England
20 Nov 2013 12:41

Everton career is more important for young playmaker, says manager

Roberto Martinez wants Ross Barkley to forget about the World Cup and concentrate on his football with Everton FC.

The 19-year-old's reputation has flourished this season - and he has been rewarded for some fine club displays with three England caps by Roy Hodgson - but Martinez wants him to keep working hard until the squad is announced next summer.

"I don't think it is the time to consider the squad," Martinez said at his pre-Merseyside derby press conference this morning. "I think the squad is going to be announced in June so, as you can imagine, in football a week is an eternity. In a few months, anything could happen.

"I think in football you need to concentrate on what is happening in your day-to-day work and that's where Ross is. He is enjoying his experience with England, and when he came on yesterday (against Germany) he was himself which is always important.

"All he needs to do is concentrate on his club role and make sure that he's ready to help the team and enjoy his season and develop and grow and then the reward is always around the corner after your good work on a daily basis.

"Sometimes you can get confused as a player how you are going to effect what happens in the national team. It is very easy; it is what you can do at club level."

Everton tackle Liverpool this weekend as Martinez gets his first taste of a Merseyside derby and he is expecting to be able to call on a strong squad for Saturday's game.

"This is a real important moment for us, the middle third of the season," he added. "We're still waiting today for reports on everyone coming back. We expect everyone to be fully fit.

"It's not the biggest test of our unbeaten home record this year. We've had some really difficult games.

"We're not going to underestimate Liverpool. They've had a good start to the season and we will respect that."

Martinez also confirmed that Antolin Alcaraz is available after recovering from groin surgery in the summer which has so far prevented him from making his Everton debut.

However, the Paraguayan defender, who followed Martinez from Wigan Athletic to Everton, is unlikely to be risked against Liverpool.

The manager said: "Alcaraz is fully fit now. He's been working really hard. He would be ready to play a part in a game. The derby may be too intense for Antolin to make his comeback, but he is ready to open his Everton career."

Source: Echo