Barnsley born full back John Stones WILL go to this summer’s World Cup in Brazil… although for now he is still on the standby list.
The 19 year old who was born in Penistone, came through the Oakwell Academy and made 28 first team appearances before securing a £3m move to Premier League side Everton in January 2013, failed to make manager Roy Hodgson’s initial 23 man squad for the footballing extravaganza in Brazil, and was named as one of the seven standby players should any of the current crop get injured.
However this will not stop Stones sampling the atmosphere of a World Cup after Hodgson confirmed his standby players will also fly out with the squad.
He said:
“John Stones is going to the training camp in Portugal as a complete and utter understudy to Phil Jones.”
“If Jones doesn’t come through I want someone who can double up in two positions, who can play right back or, if the worst comes to the worst, play centre back. Both Jones and Stones play those positions.”
Barnsley have so far refused to confirm or deny whether there were any clauses inserted into the deal which took Stones to Merseyside that would give The Reds a cash bonus if the youngster achieved international recognition.