Barton deserves England chance, says Pearce

MANCHESTER CITY manager Stuart Pearce has tipped Joey Barton to earn his first England call-up later this week after the Blues midfielder helped inspire his team to a 3-1 FA Cup win over Southampton.

Steve McClaren is due to announce his squad for the February 7 friendly with Spain on Friday, with Barton widely tipped to make his debut.

And, while some pundits still have doubts over the 24-year-old’s ability to adapt to the international scene, Pearce does not share them.

“England need good players and I think Joey is a good player,” said Pearce.

“I see no reason at all why he shouldn’t get a call-up and I will be very proud if he does. His form has been outstanding this season. He has been putting performances in week after week.’’

Barton’s sixth goal of the campaign ensured City led at half-time after Kenwyne Jones had taken advantage of Nicky Weaver’s horrendous blunder to put Southampton in front.

Darius Vassell levelled within three minutes before Stephen Ireland set up Barton with a neat through ball.

City were rarely troubled after the break, with DaMarcus Beasley sealing a place in the last 16 by pouncing on Richard Dunne’s long ball.

Although naturally disappointed to tumble out of the competition, Saints boss George Burley admitted his own work will be judged on whether he can get the south-coast club out of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Their chances may depend on whether they can keep hold of £10m-rated defender Gareth Bale, who continues to be courted by Tottenham and Manchester United.

Although Alex Ferguson has claimed Spurs are now in pole position to land the 17-year-old Wales international, he dispatched coaching duo Carlos Queiroz and Mike Phelan across Manchester to watch Bale in action.

Nevertheless, Burley expects Bale to remain at St Mary’s until the end of the season and has clearly not given up hope the full-back will remain a Southampton player after the summer as well.

“Gareth will be at our club until the end of the season and hopefully beyond that,” he said.

MAN CITY: Weaver, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Beasley, Barton (Hamann 86), Dabo, Ireland, Trabelsi, Vassell (Abdoun 89), Samaras (Miller 76).

SOUTHAMPTON: Davis, Ostlund (Licka 63), Baird, Powell, Bale, McGoldrick, Viafara, Pele, Wright, Rasiak (Wright-Phillips 63), Jones.

Referee: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).