Leyton Baines: England defender excited for Euros

Leighton Baines says he is looking forward to working with Roy Hodgson, after a glowing endorsement from David Moyes.

The Everton defender has been selected for his first senior international tournament, after suggestions that homesickness prevented him being selected for the World Cup in South Africa.

But Baines denies this was ever a problem and is now relishing playing for Hodgson in Poland and the Ukraine next month.

He told the club's official website: "I'm looking forward to getting to know him and working with him. Everything you hear, everyone in football has only got good things to say.

"David Moyes spoke really highly of him as well to me and Phil Jagielka (who is on the stand-by list) and said what a really good manager he is, and not only that, but what a really good guy he is as well.

Preparation

"Getting that good preparation, a couple of friendlies, some good training and getting what's necessary out of the next couple of weeks is what's important now.

"Then, after that, we'll just be fully focused on trying to keep a fully fit squad to take into the competition and we'll be well prepared by then and ready to have a go at it."

And the 27-year-old refutes past reports that he finds it difficult to be away from his family.

"People who are gullible enough to believe everything they read, that's up to them," he continued.

"That summer I spent three weeks with Everton in Australia. I'd have much rather of spent those three or four weeks at a World Cup. If homesickness was ever an issue, I wouldn't have been away with the club that long."