Jags call-up deserved claims Moyes

Everton boss David Moyes has expressed his delight at Phil Jagielka's inclusion as a member of England's 23-man squad for Euro 2012.

Jagielka was initially placed on the standby list by new national manager Roy Hodgson but the Toffees star has now been confirmed in the party after an injury to Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry. Moyes believes his belated call-up is well deserved and if the selection had been done to him, Jagielka would have been one of the first names scribbled down for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine. The Everton defender turned in an impressive performance alongside former team-mate Joleon Lescott in the heart of the England back four in Saturday's 1-0 win in Norway, but his display came as no surprise to the Scot. Moyes told the club's official website: "I am really pleased for Jags. I said earlier I was disappointed he was only on the stand-by list because I thought he would bring something different. "I think the way he performed in the second half of last season merited a call-up to the original squad, so I'm delighted he's in there at last. "When I look at some of England's best displays, they have all come when Jags has been involved. "He most certainly deserves to be in and around international company and it's great for him that he can now look forward to the Euros. "When I had him and Joleon at Everton I felt I had the next England centre-back partnership on my hands - and I still see them as such."