Barry on brink of England call
Gareth Barry leads out new-look Villa at Newcastle tonight just one performance away from clinching a recall to the England set-up.Gareth Barry leads out new-look Villa at Newcastle tonight just one performance away from clinching a recall to the England set-up. Click here to follow the game live Barry captains a team expected to include signings Ashley Young and John Carew, as well as new defender Phil Bardsley, as the Martin O'Neill era moves up a gear. Ironically, Barry is on duty on the same day England manager Steve McClaren is in Birmingham to launch a "charm offensive" which it is predicted will include an international recall for the midfielder. McClaren is meeting with the regional media in the city which has campaigned for Barry's return. The Villa skipper's name is expected to be in the England squad revealed on Friday for next week's friendly against Spain at Old Trafford. Read the full story in the Express & Star
Barry captains a team expected to include signings Ashley Young and John Carew, as well as new defender Phil Bardsley, as the Martin O'Neill era moves up a gear.
Ironically, Barry is on duty on the same day England manager Steve McClaren is in Birmingham to launch a "charm offensive" which it is predicted will include an international recall for the midfielder.
McClaren is meeting with the regional media in the city which has campaigned for Barry's return.
The Villa skipper's name is expected to be in the England squad revealed on Friday for next week's friendly against Spain at Old Trafford.McClaren dropped a hint before Christmas that Barry would be back in an England shirt when he answered "watch this space" to direct questions about the issue.
"What McClaren said was a bit vague, but I think it is a positive sign," said Barry.
"And I think that if I was in an England squad, there shouldn't be any eyebrows raised. I feel I am good enough."
And he will be planning to force home the point on one of the Premiership's big stages tonight as Villa face a Newcastle team whose improving form has been shaken by their crushing FA Cup defeat by Birmingham and then a draw with West Ham - both on home soil.