Gareth Barry has convinced Kevin Keegan he has the self-confidence to make it with England.

The former Albion player from St Leonards was selected for his first full England squad that drew 0-0 with Argentina at Wembley on Wednesday.

But although he failed to celebrate his 19th birthday by playing a part in the friendly, Keegan offered words of encouragement to the Aston Villa defender.

The England coach said: "Gareth had three days with us. His training has been excellent in the one and a half days we were really able to do anything. What I've seen from him is that he knows he can play with these England players at this level.

"The whole experience won't have done him any harm at all."

But he also warned the former William Parker pupil that he needs to be patient, and he advised Barry to take a leaf out of the book of Emile Heskey, England's star man at Wembley.

Keegan said: "As for how well he can play in a match for England, well, Gareth's going to have to wait for his chance.

"Emile's waited a year but when it came against Argentina he was ready for it."

Barry is clearly part of Keegan's Euro 2000 final plans. The England boss said: "I haven't made my mind up on players for the finals as a result of the Argentina match."

Barry, cheered by mum Linda and dad Stan and his Albion manager for five years Les Rogers, is encouraged.

The left-sided centre-back, who trained on the Wembley pitch the day before the friendly, said: "It's been quite an experience for me and I've enjoyed it. Training with the squad and sitting there as part of the full England set-up at Wembley was something very special.

"Everything's happened very quickly in my career so far and I'm grateful.

"I thought England played pretty well. Argentina are one of the best sides in the world."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.