Ross Barkley challenged to win England starting spot for Euro 2016 final...

Roy Hodgson has urged man-of-the-moment Ross Barkley to make himself one of the first names on England’s Euro 2016 teamsheet.

Everton midfielder Barkley has played his way into the front of Hodgson’s plans for next summer with goals and outstanding back-to-back performances in England’s final qualifiers.

Hodgson has not always trusted the 21-year-old, and has been critical of his decision-making and habit of giving the ball away in bad areas.

In fact, Barkley was not even due to play against Estonia last Friday but got a late chance because Michael Carrick failed a fitness test on the day of the game. And he appears to have grasped his opportunity.

There has been a clear shift in Hodgson’s mind now, and the England boss admitted he believes the penny has dropped with Barkley as he has “aligned” his exciting talent with more tactical awareness.Barkley could yet ride the crest of a wave like Paul Gascoigne did as the young emerging midfield talent before Italia 90 - but Hodgson says he must maintain his form before next summer.

Hodgson said: “He will have to continue doing well for Everton and continue to show that this is a player that deserves to be one of the first names on the England teamsheet, like he has shown he is one of the first names on the Everton teamsheet.

“So it’s entirely up to him. He has certainly not done his cause any harm and all you can do when you are given a chance to play for England is to go out against whoever that opponent may be and do it very well - that’s all you can do.“You can’t start seeding opponents and say: ‘You did well, but it didn’t count because it wasn’t this opponent.’

"All you can say is: ‘This is what you want me to do, what are you expecting from me, what sort of game are you looking for from me.’ And then deliver it.

“And if you do that, you get yourself in the forefront of the manager’s mind. He will play if I feel he is deserving of a place in what I consider to be our best team.

“I will be picking teams to play in the friendlies against Spain and France next month that I consider to be the best 11 of the moment.”