Gary Lineker has claimed that John Stones should be included in Roy Hodgson's England squad for this summer's World Cup.

The 19-year-old has impressed for Everton this season and may find himself on the plane to Brazil, with the nation's options in defence limited.

"The only one I might take a chance on, because we are so short in central defence, is Stones," The Mirror quotes Lineker as saying.

"I really like him - he has got a lot about him. Sometimes central defenders need a little bit more experience than players in other positions because of the extra discipline and the nature of that particular role.

"But is he worth a gamble? Well, if England lose another one - if Phil Jones doesn't make it, for example - what else have we got? We have got [Gary] Cahill and [Phil] Jagielka, who have played together quite a lot, and then there is Steven Caulker, who struggles a little bit on the turn. We are short in that position."

Stones has made 21 appearances in the Premier League for Everton this season.