Jags hails Rodwell improvement

The 20-year-old has been selected by Fabio Capello to be in the party for the forthcoming friendlies against Spain and Sweden. Rodwell has represented his country through a number of age groups and has been a regular for the under-21s for some time. Jagielka, whom Rodwell will join along with Toffees left-back Leighton Baines in the national set-up, said the midfielder has made a noticeable improvement this season with a number of consistent performances that have earned him promotion to the senior squad. He felt that was in part due to the transfer deadline day sale of Mikel Arteta to Arsenal in August, which provided an opening for the youngster to earn a regular place. "We have said with Mikel leaving and us being short of numbers in the middle it was time for Jack to step up and he has been fantastic since he has done so," Jagielka told evertontv. "He was unfortunate with the red card against Liverpool but other than that he has been up there with our players of the season so far."