DAN GOSLING is hoping to return for the start of Everton's 2009/10 Premier League campaign as a European champion.

Midfielder Gosling, who came through Brixham United's youth ranks, has just joined up with the England U19 squad in preparation for next week's European Championships in Ukraine.

The young England side have qualified for the second successive summer, and will kick off the tournament on July 21 against Switzerland in Donetsk.

For 19-year-old Gosling, it means missing a chunk of pre-season training with the top flight side that coughed up £1.5 million to Plymouth Argyle for his services in January 2008.

However the chance of representing the Three Lions was too good to miss.

"I'm going to miss the tour but I'll keep in touch with the rest of the lads and find out what is going on," said Gosling.

"The key for me is make sure my fitness levels stay good. I would have loved to have gone with the lads but you can't turn down England and it is a great honour for me to be involved.

"I'm not too downhearted and hopefully we can go to Ukraine and win the tournament, then I'll come back for the first game of the season."

After the Switzerland game, England will meet hosts Ukraine on July 24 and then Slovenia on July 27.

The final is due to be played on August 2, and head coach Brian Eastick is hoping clubs will resist the urge to recall their players as the domestic season gets ever closer.

Eastick said: "It is important to get your best players.

"You can't do much about injuries, but we always want to have the strongest squad available for these big tournaments.

"If we get to the final of the Championship, we will have done very well and the Football League players will still be back one week before the season starts and the Premier League players two weeks before.

"So I'm hopeful that we'll have a strong squad and have a chance of doing well."

Gosling was involved in Everton's friendly at Bury, and played a part in setting up Louis Saha for the Toffees' first-half opener.

Everton made wholesale changes in the second half and lost 2-1, but Gosling added: "All the lads had worked hard all week and it was a very tough game as Bury played very well but it was all about us working on our fitness.

"I always try to get forward and get a couple of chances but Louis got the goal.

"Louis looked really sharp and he's a great player to learn from – he always helps you out and tries to look after you. With a bit of luck, his goals will help us out.

"All the lads look sharp and that's because the gaffer worked us hard in Scotland. We came through the paces well and looked good; nobody was too tired and the first week of pre-season is always enjoyable."