Jagielka drafted in as Barry forced out of finals

Manager Roy Hodgson had indicated he would “re-configure” his 23-man squad if Barry was ruled out by the stomach problem he suffered during Saturday’s friendly win in Norway. After scans confirmed Barry could not play any meaningful role in Poland and Ukraine this summer, Hodgson did just that, adding Jagielka as an eighth defender in preference to Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson, who had been on standby in midfield. It brings some kind of closure for Jagielka, who had appeared well set to be part of Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad in 2010 until he ruptured his cruciate ligament in April 2009. The 29-year-old was missing for 10 months, leaving him with no time to convince Capello he could recapture his prior form on the international stage. Before the Wembley defeat by Holland in February though, Jagielka had been named in every squad but one since the World Cup, making three appearances during the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. Together with Joleon Lescott, Jagielka kept world champions Spain out at Wembley last November and might have considered himself unfortunate not to be included in Hodgson’s original 23-man squad instead of being named on standby. However, with Chelsea trio John Terry, Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill missing the Oslo trip and Glen Johnson ruled out through injury, Hodgson selected Jagielka in central defence at the weekend and must have been impressed by the response. So, once Barry was ruled out, the Everton man was added to the official squad that will be confirmed to UEFA by 11am today. It is harsh luck on Barry of course. However, Hodgson had no need to play the same kind of waiting game Capello had to in South Africa, when Barry made the trip even though he was struggling to shake off an ankle injury and ultimately performed poorly after missing the opening game with the United States. The new England manager was quick to assure Barry he does still have a future with the Three Lions though. “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,” said Hodgson. “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.” Previous doubts Danny Welbeck, Glen Johnson and Scott Parker have all been given the green light, so Hodgson can count himself reasonably satisfied as his only other casualty was third-choice goalkeeper John Ruddy, who has been replaced by Birmingham rookie Jack Butland. England still have one friendly to go though, against Belgium at Wembley on Saturday. Not that World Cup winner Gordon Banks is holding out too much hope for what happens afterwards. Speaking at the Every Player Counts Awards at the Grass Roots Football Show, Banks expressed apprehension for the summer campaign. “England didn’t play very well at all on Saturday,” he said. “If they are going to do anything in the tournament they will have to play better. “They were a little bit too defensive and I thought Roy was looking for a result which would maybe give the lads a bit of confidence. “There were one or two new players but you could see it is going to take a while.” It is bedding-in time Hodgson simply does not have. “It was terrible to leave it so late,” said Banks. “I couldn’t understand that at all. Why wasn’t he appointed earlier? “There are so many things to do when someone takes over. There is more to it than just picking a side and expecting them to play. “I didn’t think it was right to leave it so long.”