Everton announced their squad for the pre-season trip to Tanzania on their official website on Tuesday, and contract rebel Ross Barkley was a notable absentee because of a groin injury.

The 23-year-old has been the subject of  a lot of speculation in recent months as he is yet to sign a new contract with the Toffees, and with just a year left on his current deal the Merseyside outfit will likely cash in on him this summer rather than lose him for nothing next year.

The signings of Davy Klaassen and Wayne Rooney have already provided the England international with more competition, and his latest absence has only cast further doubt over his future.

Everton supporters were quick to have their say on Barkley’s absence via social media, with many believing that the story that he had an injury wasn’t true, especially as teammate Yannick Bolasie has travelled despite the fact that he is still recovering from an ACL injury, and that Ronald Koeman is trying to force him out.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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