Season › 2013-14 › News Barkley named in England's World Cup squad Lyndon Lloyd , 12 May, 0comments | Jump to most recent Stones on standby for Brazil The inclusion of Ross Barkley in Roy Hodgson's 23-man England squad alongside Everton teammates Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines has been confirmed this afternoon. The 20 year-old told evertontv of his delight at the decision saying it means "everything" to him and that it would be the best thing to have happened to him should he get to play in Brazil this summer. John Stones has been ear-marked on the reserve list as a potential replacement for Manchester United's Phil Jones but will play for England U21s this summer if he isn't needed by the senior squad. Jones, who injured his shoulder last week, will be given two weeks to prove his fitness. Barkley's selection by Hodgson caps a remarkable transformation in the player's fortunes — last season he returned early from an unsuccessful loan spell at Leeds United after being frozen out of the first team by David Moyes and was overlooked for England U21s by Stuart Pearce, playing instead for England at the U20 World Cup. Now, having enjoyed an explosive season for Everton under Roberto Martinez and won both the club's Young Player of the Season award and Goal of the Season awards, the local-born prodigy has booked his place for the game's showpiece tournament. "I'd never have dreamed of [this]," Barkley said. "A year ago I was starting games. It's happened through hard work and I'm grateful for it. "I've been pleased [with my form for Everton]. I've been progressing and I'm hoping that continues for a long time." Martinez has no doubt that Barkley is ready for the world stage but although he says Ross "is already a star" following his meteoric rise this season, the Spaniard suggests that he isn't capable yet of transforming England into a World Cup-winning outfit on his own. We need to protect a young man who, for me, is the best young English talent I've seen and worked with. Roberto Martinez "I don't think there is another English player that can do what Ross does," Martinez says in The Guardian. "Will we expect to win the World Cup because of Ross Barkley? No. That is what we need to be clear on. He has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in world football at the age of 25, 26, 27 but not now. "If the role in the World Cup is to carry England, that is not Ross Barkley. But if it is to have someone that is ready to help the team and will be ready mentally, then yes he has that character. We need to be more sensible than to say Ross Barkley is the man who can win the World Cup for England. We need to protect a young man who, for me, is the best young English talent I've seen and worked with. I hope we can fulfil his potential and give him what he needs over the years." Full Squad List: BBC Sport About these ads © ToffeeWeb