Everton manager Roberto Martinez has admitted that he does not understand why Gareth Barry has been left out in the cold by England boss Roy Hodgson.
Barry has become an integral part of the Everton side over the past couple of seasons, and Martinez believes that the club are benefiting from the lack of recognition the 33-year-old has received.
"He is the best defensive midfielder in the league, never mind in English football," the Spaniard is quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo.
"Teams have invested massive amounts of money into bringing in the best foreign players to play in that position – Fernando and Fernandinho at Man City – but you go through all the players in that position and Gareth has been the most consistent.
"He has been overlooked for England. I don't know the reason behind it but it allows him, at 33, to concentrate on being able to play every game for us.
"On one side, I feel he deserves the reward and I don't understand why he is not getting it but on the other, it will extend his career at club level and that is important."
Barry, who is currently out of action with an ankle injury, won the last of his 53 caps in May 2012.
Callum Mulvihill
