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Everton manager cautious about Ross Barkley's return to England Under-21 side

Ross Barkley has returned to training for Everton and could play Saturday Credit: PA

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is close to a return from injury but manager Roberto Martinez remains cautious about the availability of his player to join England's Under-21 squad next summer.

The 20-year-old, who has yet to play for Everton after sustaining knee ligament damage, is already being touted for a recall to the under-21s to bolster their squad for the 2015 European Championships.

It is not an idea that Martinez appears keen on:

"Ross is coming back from an injury so he hasn't played much football,"

"If the tournament was now it would be a good opportunity for Ross to get some playing time but if it is at the end of a season where he has played consistently for 10 months then he needs to have a break."

– Roberto Martinez, Everton Football Club Manager

Martinez does not believe the growing clamour for young players to gain tournament experience is right despite calls for the likes of Barkley and Liverpool's Raheem Sterling to be parachuted back into the Under -21 squad.

Barkley returned to full training with the squad on Monday and could possibly play against Aston Villa on Saturday.