WHILE some might sulk, snipe and complain, Phil Jagielka is the type of player to take set-backs in his stride, with a smile on his face.

It’s the first-class professional attitude which has won over each manager he has played for, and now convinced Roy Hodgson to take him to Poland and Ukraine.

England’s new manager is good friends with David Moyes, but he won’t have needed to pick up the phone and asked the Scotsman’s opinion upon learning Gareth Barry’s injury would rule him out of Euro 2012.

The convincing, no matter how much Moyes insisted Jagielka should have been in the final 23 in the first place, had already been done.

It was the way the 29-year-old refused to let his head drop at initially being included only on the stand-by list.

The way he sparkled alongside Joleon Lescott again, as Hodgson’s reign began with a win and a clean sheet on Saturday.

That response won’t surprise Evertonians.

Jagielka earned the Blues a place in the 2009 FA Cup final with the winning penalty against Manchester United, then missed the final through injury.

Two years later, despite fine form in the league, he was omitted from the team that returned to Wembley for another semi-final against Liverpool.

His response? Simply to run even harder, tackle even tougher, and lead even more competently as the Blues achieved a seventh place finish.

The FA have reminded Hodgson of the need for England’s players to charm the Euros when they’re not in action. For too long, Three Lions squads have been cast as arrogant and aloof.

Jagielka is neither. A friendly, honest interviewee who never shirks his duties, he will do his country proud on and off the pitch.

The former Sheffield United man might have to contend with a place on the bench at first, but Hodgson will know he has quality in abundance.

Dubbed a Jamie Carragher- style defender with pace, it is his recovery speed and resilience which so impresses.

No shrinking violet, he can be a leader in any dressing room but crucially for a tournament, Jagielka is flexible too; able to operate at right back, centre half and in a defensive midfield role.

Often unfairly dismissed on the international scene for a shaky night against a David Villa-inspired Spain in 2009, he was also a key part of the side which beat the World Champions at Wembley last year.

He is relatively fresh now by comparison with John Terry and Gary Cahill. His injury misfortune for Everton last season may yet be Jagielka’s Euro blessing.

Little wonder then that ‘Jags’ was instantly announced as Gareth Barry’s replacement on Tuesday, instead of waiting until 24 hours later.

It was a no-brainer.