Gareth Barry has warned Everton team mate Ross Barkley that he needs to toughen up to treatment from opposition defenders.
The Wavertree-born midfielder was singled out for specific attention from Watford players during the Blues’ 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road last weekend.
And Barry has warned Barkley, who is an injury doubt for Wednesday’s visit to Crystal Palace, to expect more of the same when he runs out for England at this summer’s European Championships in France.
He said: “Ross is going to have to deal with that at times. They (Watford) made six or seven fouls in the first five or six minutes.
“For England, you are playing against the best players in Europe, you are not going to have a lot of time on the ball.
“It’s something he will have to deal with.”