John Stones worried he would be left watching this World Cup on TV instead of starring at the heart of England’s new-look back three, writes John Cross in Repino .
The classy Manchester City defender knew Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate was threatening too overlook players for these finals if they weren't seeing regular action for their clubs.
So, Stones rang him to find out if he might be on the chopping block, without realising he was about to become the England manager’s Mr Indispensible.
The City star revealed: “I spoke to Gareth, and there were some little injuries and things that weren’t said out in public. That’s why I wasn’t in the (Man City) squad as much.
“Gareth’s shown a lot of faith in me. I can’t express enough how thankful I am for that.”
Interestingly, over the past three months, Stones is the only player to have started all five England games and in that time has played more minutes for them (408) than he has for City (163).
He is also the only player Southgate, a former defender himself, invited into the final 23 for Russia who was not playing regularly at club level — such is his regard for the 24-year-old who has become England’s defensive kingpin in this tournament.
Stones added: “Sometimes you’re in difficult spots as players, where form’s not right and he’s got a difficult decision to make - 'Should I play him or not?'
“He knows us well enough by now, our characters, individually they’re all different, it’s down to him. I thought if I stay true to myself and make sure I put in the work and come to England if selected and fight for a spot, I’ve done all I can.
“And if I don’t get selected, me and Gareth will have that conversation and he’ll be honest with me because he’s that type of person.
“I can hold my head high and say I did everything to put myself in the best situation.
“I wanted to make sure I was right to fight for my spot at City and I never took my spot for granted in the England team. I never will think like that. I knew I had to fight right until the end, even though some people may say different.
“I think if you’ve got that mentality of fighting for your place and fighting to improve, then you know you can be clear with yourself you’ve done everything you can.
“You’ve not rested on your previous game, or been sloppy in training and think oh I’m going to get in the team. It doesn’t happen like that.”
Four years ago, Stones was on standby for the World Cup squad and even went to the pre-tournament training camp in Miami only to miss out on the final cut to 23.
But he has kicked on since then, joining City from Everton for £47million and helping them win this past season's title.
Stones, who says he is ready for any of Panama’s tough tactics on Sunday, said: “Watching it at home makes me realise how much clearer it is for me to get my points across and make sure that things that I’ve seen and did don’t happen in this World Cup.
“I never thought I got bullied or pushed off the ball. If you put me against Andy Carroll, I’m never going to beat him in a fight so I’ve got to use my brain.
“Players that want to be in a physical combat, you’ve not got to give them that.
“I remember playing against [Spain's former Chelsea striker Diego] Costa and he wants to wind you up and kind of get into your head. A few times I’ve played against players like that, you’ve got to beat them mentally and not play them at their own game.
“I am enjoying myself. I want to step into the challenge and try to bring what I can to the team.
“The boys all know what I can do, and vice versa, from that central position."