Monday 12 October 2015 23:42, UK
Phil Jagielka says England's strength in depth will give Roy Hodgson a 'nice headache' before he selects his final squad for Euro 2016.
England recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Lithuania in their final qualifying match to finish the campaign with a 100 per cent record, the first time the national team has done so.
Indeed, the side are unbeaten since losing to Uruguay in the World Cup in Brazil last summer.
Now, as Hodgson plots his assault on the European Championship next year, Jagielka thinks tough competition for places will be a welcome conundrum for the manager.
"It is probably going to be difficult to whittle it down to the final squad," Jagielka said.
"There are still a lot of games between now and France, obviously in the Premier League and the internationals as well.
"There is a really good competition for places, it is a nice headache for the manager to have but we need to keep this confidence going, keep progressing.
"We've got some tough friendlies coming up, perform well in them and hopefully keep the confidence up for when we fly out to France."
Jagielka was coy on the suggestion that Everton team-mate Ross Barkley is now an established England starter after an impressive beginning to the season for club and country.
Instead, he said it was important the squad worked together as a whole.
"It is difficult to tell, we have got some really influential players out at the moment who have done a great job for England, so once they get fit it is going to be a really tough position to find yourself in that centre-midfield role," the 33-year-old said.
"But [there are] some fantastic players, some fantastic characters, so hopefully we can all work together between now and then and come up with the right formula."
Hodgson is yet to lose a World Cup or European qualifier as England manager, playing 20, winning 16 and drawing four.
Jagielka captained his country for the first time against Lithuania, the first Everton player to do so, and said leading the side out in Vilnius was a proud moment.
"I've had some fantastic text messages before the game, I was a little bit nervier than I would be previously but it was nice to get the win," he said.
"I can thank the boys for giving me a 3-0 win and enjoy the rest of the night."
