England manager Gareth Southgate rules out picking Ross Barkley for the World Cup

The midfielder joined Chelsea from Everton in January following a long-term injury absence but has only gone on to make four appearances for his new club

Ross Barkley has only made four appearances for his new club since joining in January (Getty Images)

Gareth Southgate has ruled out picking Chelsea's Ross Barkley for this summer's World Cup.

The midfielder joined the Blues from Everton in January following a long-term injury absence but has only gone on to make four appearances for his new club.

Southgate - who also omitted Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling and Michael Keane from his latest squad for the upcoming friendlies with the Netherlands and Italy - ruled out Barkley making a late run for World Cup selection this summer and said Stamford Bridge teammate Danny Drinkwater is down the pecking order too.

"Danny's not been in Chelsea's team and we felt with the players we've discussed already - the likes of (Lewis) Cook and (Jack) Wilshere on top of those we've had in those deeper positions - there were other players we wanted to see. Simple as that," he said.

"I think Ross has just not been fit. He went (to Chelsea) on the back of a long-term injury, quite a serious one, and only had a couple of matches really.

"So I don't think he's available for selection now anyway, so he's unfortunate in the way that has played out in this year in particular.

"But if he can get back playing and playing regularly I'm sure, post-summer... It's going to be difficult for him I think to get the number of games he needs now. But we know he's a talented player."