Everton Football Club News

• Nickname:Toffees
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

Baines backed for England

06 May 2009 - 14:24:26

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Everton manager David Moyes believes in-form full-back Leighton Baines is ready to win his first England start.

The 24-year-old former Wigan Athletic star endured an injury-ravaged first season with the Toffees but has been back to his best during the current campaign, to Moyes' delight.

Moyes said: "If Bainesy was honest, I think he'd turn around and say he was surprised by the size of the football club and what was required when he first came here.

"Maybe he under-estimated the levels he had to play at. But he's been outstanding recently. His performance at Chelsea was probably his best since he joined Everton.

"I've told him that, if he keeps playing like that, he'll go with England to the World Cup, no question. He's growing all the time.

"I've always said that he's going to be Everton's left-back for a long, long time and my views haven't changed.

"I had a few conversations with Bainesy and he was feeling frustrated, People might say it's easy now but I never saw Joleon (Lescott) being a long-term left-back.

"That's how he got into the England squad and where he was noticed. But his development was geared towards being a central defender. That's his right position.

"Once that happened, the opportunities were always going to come for Bainesy. We just never foresaw the way things were going to turn out and he just had to be patient."