Everton star Ross Barkley tries to forget about his England omission with New York trip
Midfielder was omitted from Gareth Southgate's squad after an indifferent start to the season - but rocked up in NYC on same night as UFC
ROSS BARKLEY took his mind off his recent omission from Gareth Southgate's England squad with a trip to New York City.
The Everton star has been enjoying an extended period of time off from club duty after he was overlooked for the Three Lions' games against Scotland and Spain.
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On Thursday, he was partying at nightspots in Liverpool, but has quickly jetted to the Big Apple, where he took pictures on his Instagram of Times Square at night.
He is coincidentally in the city on the same night as UFC 205, when Connor McGregor goes face to face with Eddie Alvarez in a hotly anticipated fight.
So it does not take a huge leap of the imagination to assume 22-year-old Barkley may be taking in the fight at Madison Square Garden.
Barkley was watched by England's coach Sammy Lee in the Blues' 2-0 win over West Ham last month.
However, interim boss Southgate decided to leave Barkley out of the 23-man squad for the 3-0 victory in the World Cup qualifier against Scotland last night and Tuesday's friendly against Spain at Wembley.
What will hurt him more, is a year ago tomorrow he was playing for England against Spain in Alicante in a 2-0 friendly loss - and this time he is on a forced holiday.
Ronald Koeman's side return to Premier League action when they entertain Swansea on November 19.