Everton defender Leighton Baines has admitted he was ‘massively disappointed’ to miss out on an England World Cup place (England 2/9 to beat Algeria on Friday) and revealed a conversation with a reporter about him missing his family had been misconstrued as the full-back being ‘homesick’.

The 23-year-old was expected to get the nod to be Fabio Capello’s reserve left back for South Africa after he played in the warm-up games against Mexico (5/2 to beat France on Thursday) and Japan last month.

However, when the final 23-man squad was announced Baines lost out to Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock and he admits it was a decision he found hard to take.

Baines said: “I must admit it was a massive disappointment and something of a surprise even though, like most of the lads in the squad, I knew full well that I wasn’t guaranteed a place.

“I was feeling low because I knew I hadn’t played my best against Mexico and I spoke to a reporter I know about how the game had gone.

“At the end of the conversation I was asked if I was missing the family while we were away, and I said I was but that it’s all part and parcel of being a footballer.”

He added: “I’d never mentioned the word ‘homesick’ once. I felt that my comments had been misconstrued and I came across as a bit of a moaner, which is not like me at all.”

“I was as desperate to make the plane as every other member of the squad and my family was 100% behind me, so I was bitterly disappointed when Mr Capello told me that I wouldn’t be going.”

Baines now has the summer off before he can then concentrate on helping Everton (50/1 to be relegated in 2010/11) once again in the Premier League come August.