Roberto Martinez wants Gareth Barry to stay at Everton

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has suggested that he will try to keep midfielder Gareth Barry at the club beyond his season-long loan spell.

The 32-year-old, who is due to make his 500th Premier League appearance against Newcastle United tonight, joined the Merseyside outfit on a temporary deal from Manchester City on transfer deadline day.

"Gareth could be a very significant player for Everton for years to come," The Express quotes Martinez as saying.

"When you see a player perform the way Gareth did on his home debut, you see a perfect fit, and in football the best decisions are the ones that are natural."

Barry's contract at the Etihad Stadium expires at the end of the season.