Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is happy seeing Manchester City defender John Stones back in the England XI.

Carragher wrote for the Mail on Sunday: "John Stones gives (Sam) Allardyce the chance to show sceptics their assumptions are wrong. During his club career, Allardyce would never have worked with a defender with the skillset of Stones, but he can make a statement with how he uses the 22-year-old.

"Now is the time to put Stones at the heart of England's back four and let him show us how good he can become at this level. It would also show everyone the new man is ready to meet all challenges on the front foot.

"Some of the criticism Allardyce has received is unfair. He has his own way of doing things and total belief in his methods, but you cannot fault the job he has done at any of the clubs he has managed."