Distin praises team-mate

Sylvain Distin believes Everton team-mate Leighton Baines is more than deserving of his first competitive start for the national side.

The 27-year-old has appeared in nine international friendlies for England since his debut against Egypt in 2010, but he is yet to make a competitive start due to the consistency of Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole.
Cole has been ruled out of tonight's World Cup 2014 qualifier against Moldova with a 'minor' ankle injury presenting Baines with the opportunity to impress.
The former Wigan man was last season voted into the PFA Team of the Year, 12 months after being named Everton's Player and Players' Player of the season.
Distin believes his fellow Blue is long overdue a greater role within the Three Lions set-up.
"I think he's deserved it for a long time," Distin told evertontv.
"Even without playing [a competitive international] you already think he has that experience."
"Maybe mentally it's going to be a big boost for him to play but football-wise I think the guy is already very mature."
"It wouldn't be fair of me to try to compare both players but from what I've seen of Bainesy, from the games and from the fact I've been here for three years now, he's an amazing player."
"The guy impresses me. He's always there, always working hard, always doing more than his job. He has qualities going forward, defending, everything."