Euro 2016

Ross Barkley: 'Roy Hodgson showed no faith in me at Euro 2016'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 27 August 2016

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley says that he was left "devastated" after not being given the chance to play for England at Euro 2016.

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley has admitted that he felt deflated after not being given any playing time for England at Euro 2016.

Despite featuring in the majority of England's qualifying matches, Barkley was left on the sidelines for all four fixtures as the Three Lions bowed out at the last-16 stage in France.

Barkley has hit the ground running for the Toffees this season with two goals in three games, and he has acknowledged that he is motivated to prove a point as he attempts to earn a place in Sam Allardyce's starting lineup against Slovakia next month.

The 22-year-old told The Times: "I'd played a lot in the qualifiers, scored as many as the midfielders there at the time and was devastated I didn't get any game time.

"Roy could have shown more faith in me. I was working my hardest - doing double sessions - but wasn't playing. I felt I wasn't important to the squad and that's not a nice feeling.

"I'd never like to be in that position again. I'm going to use what happened in the summer to kick me on this season to get to the next level which I believe I'll get to."

Allardyce will name his first England squad on Sunday.