Gareth Barry says the disappointment of not making the finals of Euro 2008 will not hit home until the event has started.England were dumped out at the qualifying stage with Russia and Croatia booking their places in Austria and Switzerland ahead of the Three Lions.

Barry, who is enjoying being back in the international squad after four years away, is now looking forward to England's forthcoming friendlies with the USA and Trinidad & Tobago.

But the Aston Villa midfielder knows it will be hard for the nation to take when the finals get underway.

"It probably won't [hit home] until the tournament kicks-off when you see all the best teams in Europe competing," he told Sky Sports.

"But we have two friendlies that can help us take our minds off it, but once the tournament kicks-off it will sink in for the nation."

Barry insists he and his England team-mates are already looking ahead to the World Cup in 2010, when they will look to make amends for the 2008 heartbreak.

"Once that tournament is finished, there will be a big focus on the World Cup qualifying games and the players who were involved will know they have that chance to help us qualify," he continued.

"There is so much to look forward to, the players know they are fighting and are trying to impress the manager and compete in 2010.

"Hopefully lessons can be learned and there will be an improvement, it is a very tough group and we will take nothing for granted but we will go into the games confident we can go through. You have always got to be."

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