BARRY STILL HAS FUTURE
England manager Roy Hodgson has said that Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry still has a future with the national team, despite missing out on the Euro 2012 after suffering an injury during the pre-tournament preparations.
It is a major blow for the national team to be without Gareth Barry especially considering that midfielder Scott Parker is not in the best conditions going into the tournament. The Tottenham midfielder suffering from Achilles injury for the last few months. Gareth Barry has been in great form for the club team helping them win the Premier league title ahead of Manchester United this season.
Due to the fact that he will now be unavailable for the national team at the Euro 2012, it is thought that it could be the final major tournament he has played for the country. Roy Hodgson is expected to use a number of youngsters for the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September. The likes of Lampard and Gerrard are expected to be absent from the first few matches of the World Cup qualifying campaign. Gareth Barry can also be included in the list of the absentees, as Roy Hodgson looks at his options. However, the former Liverpool manager has confirmed that Barry will still remain in his plans.
"I am very disappointed to lose Gareth, not only was he a member of my original 23-man squad but he has featured prominently in the England team over the last few years. I know how much he wanted to be part of the tournament but I'm sure he will still have a part to play with England after the Euros. I wish him a speedy recovery," said the England manager Roy Hodgson after the news that Gareth Barry has picked up an injury that ruled out the midfielder from the tournament.