Roberto Martinez talks up "unsung hero" Gareth Barry

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has hailed "unsung hero" Gareth Barry.

The Spaniard believes that the on-loan Manchester City midfielder does not get the credit he deserves for his displays.

"Gareth is an unsung hero, but teams need someone that has the understanding and the know-how and can gives you the balance in the side," The Mirror quotes Martinez as saying.

"Maybe Gareth would be more appreciated if he was a foreign player. The role he plays just isn't glamorous for some English people to appreciate because they like their midfield players to operate from box-to-box all of the time.

"But Gareth is an example that England can produce footballers with excellent technical quality who also have good tactical ¬awareness.

Martinez's side visit Arsenal on Sunday.