John Stones in contention for World Cup call-up after Everton youngster impresses



John Stones, 19, may get a surprise call-up to Roy Hodgson’s England World Cup squad due to impressive recent form for Everton.

The centre-half, one of six players watched by Hodgson at Goodison on Saturday night along with Joe Hart, James Milner, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Ross Barkley, is likely to be one of the stand-by players named by the manager tomorrow week along with his final squad of 23.



But if any of the senior centre-halves is injured in the last two weeks of the season — or if his Everton team-mate Jagielka, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury, is deemed unfit — Stones could make the full squad just a year after playing for Barnsley.

VIDEO Scroll fown to watch John Stones score with a 'Panenka' penalty against Juventus



England hopeful: Everton's John Stones (right) gets away from Manchester City's Samir Nasri

Scouting: Roy Hodgson was at Goodison Park to watch Everton take on Man City

Barkley produced a rare roar at a strangely subdued Goodison Park, with many Everton fans not wanting to do title-chasing Liverpool a favour, with a cracking opening goal.

But Aguero levelled before hobbling off with a groin problem, and Dzeko’s double turned the tide in City’s favour before Romelu Lukaku scored a consolation.

City could lose top spot if Chelsea beat Norwich today and Liverpool win at Crystal Palace on Monday but a second title in three seasons is now within their grasp.



Stunner: Barkley celebrates scoring the opening goal of the game at Goodison Park

Joy: The Everton players join Barkley as the team celebrate his brilliant first half striker