Justin Hoyte wants to follow the example of Gareth Barry and move from England Under-21 regular to full international starter.The Arsenal defenderÂ’s career with the younger age-group side ended in the summer. Hoyte received his 18th and final cap in the incredible European Championship Semi-Final against Holland. Speaking exclusively to Arsenal TV Online last month, the 22-year-old reflected on his Under-21s career and particularly that 32-penalty shoot-out. But he does not want his international honours to end there.
Barry received 27 Under-21 caps - third in the all-time list - but he has since stepped up to the full side and is widely tipped to start for Steve McClarenÂ’s side this week. For Hoyte, it is a path to follow.
“You want to get as many caps as you can for the Under-21s,” he said. “But you don’t just want to be classed as an Under-21s player. You want to step up from there into the senior team. Every young player is trying to do that. A lot have done that you can see that from the current squad.
“Gareth Barry has been playing very well for his club and his country. He was one of the top Under-21s players and you can see how that has helped.”
