Toffees skipper hails Barry landmark

Phil Jagielka has paid tribute to the outstanding longevity of Gareth Barry as the midfielder approaches his 600th Premier League appearance.

Barry, 35, will reach the landmark should be appear against Middlesbrough at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The former England midfielder is into his 20th campaign at senior level and has been a Premier League and FA Cup winner at Manchester City in his time.

After many years at boyhood club Aston Villa, Barry played a key role at City before switching to Merseyside on loan in 2013, and then permanently a year later.

“It’s not like he has played for any old team,” said Jagielka. “It has been at the top level, and he has won trophies and he is still earning his place in a fantastic Everton team.

“Most of those appearances will be starts, and most will have been 90 minutes, so there is a lot of mileage gone in there.

“It is testament to Gareth that he has kept himself fit, doing the right things and being a great footballer.

Six hundred games in total is a fantastic amount, let alone in the best league in the world.”

In their three seasons together at Everton, central defender Jagielka says Barry has easily become a player he can rely on when things get tough.

Jagielka told Everton TV: “It is always nice to have dependable people in and around you in the defensive unit, and we have had that in the past couple of years.”

Everton are 1.70 to beat Middlesbrough, with Barry 8.00 to mark his milestone appearance with a goal.