Paul Scholes believes it is time for Ross Barkley to step up and seize his spot in the England national team.

The 21-year old Everton midfielder is being touted as the next big thing in English football but his recent form at club level has left a lot to be desired.

Following Barkley's impressive second-half cameo in Tuesday night's 1-1 friendly draw with Italy in Turin, Manchester United legend Scholes has implored the young gun to grasp his chance and build on what he has already achieved.

'There are times in the career of every young English footballer when they simply need to take their chance to establish themselves and, having burst on to the scene last season, that moment is now for the bright young talent that is Ross Barkley,' wrote Scholes in his column for the London Evening Standard.

'Against Italy as a second-half substitute on Tuesday night he showed exactly the kind of form that is required to make his own the position in the team that I think he is best-suited to: the No 10, either at the top of a diamond or behind a lone striker. When England play again in June, Barkley has to take the next step and claim that starting role as his own.

'I rate him highly. He has the kind of pace and physique that few footballers his age can boast and technically he is an accomplished player. He can go past an opponent on either side. He can score goals. This lad has a lot to offer, but that alone will not be enough. He is still young, not 22 until December, but as ever in football there is no time like the present.'