Roberto Martinez: 'Gareth Barry deserves spot in World Cup squad'

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has claimed that Gareth Barry should be selected in England's World Cup squad.

Barry has fallen out of favour since Roy Hodgson last picked him in 2012, but Martinez believes that the midfielder's form for the Toffees during a loan spell from Manchester City has been good enough to earn him a place on the plane to Brazil.

"I would take him," the Spaniard is quoted as saying by The Mirror. "He has been so consistent throughout the season and his level of performance has been phenomenal.

"What surprised me more than anything was how he developed a new partnership with James McCarthy. I've been so impressed with that."

Barry will become a free agent this summer when his City contract expires.