Keen on Keane

Lithuania were marginally better than England expected on Sunday.

Captain for the day Joe Hart admitted as much afterwards.

So it is little surprise that with full-backs pushed on and an attacking midfield line-up fielded, Hart was grateful for the good work done by John Stones and Michael Keane when the visitors launched a semi-regular counter-attack.

The pair's display accentuated the sudden blossoming of numerous centre-back options for England.

Keane, described as a "bonus" by Gareth Southgate, has been just that.

Inside the last week, the Burnley defender was comfortable at home on the right-hand-side of a back three and the left-hand-side of a back two, demonstrating both his ability and temperament.

From the first 10 minutes of the game at Wembley, when he twice picked out Kyle Walker with a raking pass, he looked like an experienced international.

Stones, who receives plenty of flak for costing £50m, is in good form at club level, too, and also suits both systems.

With Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones unlikely to go away – and Ben Gibson clearly liked – Southgate really does have the chance to find the perfect combination heading into next summer.

Keane, though, has thrust himself to the front of the queue.

- Adam Drury

No room for Ross

Three hundred and four days.

That’s how long it has been since Ross Barkley’s last international appearance.

The Everton playmaker watched from the bench for both of England’s two fixtures last week, and has now failed to feature in the last seven games that he has called up for.

He must be concerned.

Someone had to miss out in the friendly against Germany, and it is understandable that Gareth Southgate opted to give debuts to Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse.

That Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was preferred in midfield against Lithuania, however, is discouraging for Barkley.

The 23-year-old is having a fine season for his club, with four goals and seven assists in the Premier League, and should now be established in a young, exciting England team.

Instead, he is at the bottom of the pecking order.

Considering the Three Lions’ two best players – Adam Lallana and Dele Alli – play in his position, and with Jordan Henderson still to return, Barkley’s chances of gaining a regular place in the side look bleak.

- Jack Green

Hart fails to convince

Aside from an impressive pre-match interview, Joe Hart did little else to inspire confidence against Lithuania on Sunday.

Speaking to Gabriel Clarke, the goalkeeper admitted that he “didn’t do things right” at Euro 2016 and was let down by “childishness” prior to England’s defeat against Iceland.

It was refreshing to hear from a senior player – winning his 70th cap to take him four behind Gordon Banks – who has often not been able to keep his cool.

Judging by his showing at Wembley, though, Hart has failed to mature on the pitch, anyway.

The only time he was tested all afternoon, he had to be bailed out by a last-ditch clearance from John Stones just before half-time after mistiming his challenge on Vykintas Slivka.

Sure, it was a save he should not have had to make – with Slivka clearly in an offside position when the ball fell to him – but his reaction was worrying.

Given that the 29-year-old was mainly a spectator, it should have been an opportunity to prove he is useful with the ball at his feet.

Instead, he played safe and looked unconvincing whenever he was called upon.

Hart will overtake Banks, but with Jack Butland – a player who worked with Gareth Southgate in the Under-21 squad – fit again, his long-term status as first choice is not guaranteed.

- Will Rook