AFP, LONDON: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants to help new signing Ross Barkley claim a place in England's World Cup squad even though he has not played since May due to a hamstring injury.

Barkley signed for Chelsea from Everton on Friday for a cut-price fee in the region of £15 million ($20 million, 17 million euros) as his Toffees contract was due to expire this summer.

Conte does not know when the 24-year-old -- who needed surgery -- will return, but Chelsea's Italian manager hopes the midfielder can make Gareth Southgate's Russia 2018 squad.

“We have five months to show he deserves a call with the national team for the World Cup,” Conte said. “I hope (he gets one), because it means he will do very well with us.”