MX23RW : Friday, October 11 08:57:13| >> :120:82291:82291:

James Tarkowski left "disappointed" by Gareth Southgate snub

James Tarkowski left
© Reuters
Tarkowski won the last of his two caps in September last year.

James Tarkowski admits he was disappointed not to be included in the England squad for the matches against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.

The Burnley defender won his second cap last September against Switzerland but hernia problems and a difficult run for the Clarets saw him drop out of the picture.

Despite a strong second half of last season and impressive form this term that sees Burnley sitting in seventh place in the Premier League table, Tarkowski continues to be overlooked.

The 26-year-old said: "I am disappointed. I want to be involved. I feel like I'm playing really well, I'm at full fitness levels, playing every minute possible in games and I feel like I'm performing the best I have done for Burnley.

"But it's the England manager's decision to pick the players he feels suits his system so I'm not going to cry about it and get all upset. I'm just going to crack on with my game and enjoy myself when I'm playing."

Tarkowski has not spoken to anyone from the England set-up since being left out of the squad for the Nations League finals in the summer.

England boss Gareth Southgate has selected Joe Gomez, Michael Keane, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings and young Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori in his squad for the two Euro 2020 qualifiers.

Tarkowski will continue to push his case, saying: "I'm happy with my performances and that's all I can do. I'm a footballer and I want to play football, whether that's being a part of the squad for England, starting for England or playing for Burnley.

"I'm desperate to be back involved in the England squad but for now I'm happy in the Burnley one. We're performing well as a team and I want to improve on my own performances.

"I'm not going to starting whinging about not being involved, it's the manager's job to pick the players. He's decided that he doesn't want me in the squad so that's fair enough."

Burnley boss Sean Dyche addressed the issue ahead of the Clarets' victory over Everton last weekend, also making a case for Tarkowski's centre-back partner Ben Mee.

"For (Tarkowski) and Ben, they both scratch their heads," said Dyche. "I definitely think either or both should be considered at very close quarters to be in the England set-up, at least."

Mee was capped up until under-21 level but has not been involved in a senior squad.

Tarkowski is certainly a big fan of the 30-year-old Burnley captain, saying: "I don't think anybody plays at Premier League level for as long as he has now, four years in a row, and plays every game.

"He never gets injured and his performances are consistent. Maybe he's overlooked, but everybody here at the club appreciates how big a player he is for us. I certainly do."

body check tags ::

Click here for more stories about James Tarkowski

Click here for more stories about Burnley

Share this article now:
Instagram - Follow Sports Mole
James Tarkowski in action for Burnley on September 14, 2019
Read Next:
Tarkowski hails "massive" Burnley improvement this season
>

Euro 2020 Qualifying
Rugby World Cup
Shanghai Masters Quarter-Finals
Result
Medvedev
Fognini
6 7 
3 64
Result
Djokovic
Tsitsipas
6 5 3
3 7 6
11.30am
Zverev
Federer
1.30pm
Berrettini
Thiem
Segunda Division
Eerste Divisie
Welsh Premier League
Australian A-League
International Friendlies
Premiership Rugby Cup
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool88002061424
2Manchester CityMan City85122791816
3Arsenal84311311215
4Leicester CityLeicester8422147714
5Chelsea84221814414
6Crystal Palace842288014
7Burnley8332119212
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham83321111012
9Tottenham HotspurSpurs83231412211
10Bournemouth83231313011
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves82421111010
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd82339819
13Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd82337709
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton8233810-29
15Aston Villa8224131218
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle8224513-88
17Southampton8215815-77
18Everton8215613-77
19Norwich CityNorwich82061021-116
20Watford8035420-163

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!