England coach Sam Allardyce has explained snubbing Everton midfielder Ross Barkley for his first squad.

Allardyce says it was a very tough choice to leave Barkley out and insists there was still time for him to feature in his future plans.

"We have had to make a few difficult decisions and none more so than Ross Barkley," Allardyce, 61, said.

"For him it's disappointing, for me, you have to make these decisions.

"The door will always be open for Ross but right now I feel the squad I've picked is the right one."