Everton management believe Joleon Lescott's England call-up was long overdue.

Blues No2 Alan Irvine told evertonTV: "We are absolutely delighted with the call up.

"We feel that Joleon should have been called up last year but of course there is a lot of competition for places, and at centre-half in particular.

"Joleon's cause will have been helped as he has played so many times at left-back and when Steve McClaren is looking to build his squads for the future, he will certainly be looking for players who are adaptable and that will give Joleon a better than average chance."