Everton midfielder Ross Barkley insists he is not in need of a rest

The 19-year-old wants to play as much as he can after an impressive start to the season

Carl Markham
Tuesday 24 September 2013 06:47 EDT
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Ross Barkley's good start to the season has won an England place
Ross Barkley's good start to the season has won an England place (Getty Images)

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Everton midfielder Ross Barkey is keen to play as much as he can as he is enjoying the Roberto Martinez revolution.

The 19-year-old has found he has become a key figure in the new Toffees boss' plans for the style of play he wants to engender at Goodison Park.

Barkley has started every match for Everton this season and has been employed in an advanced role as a free-running midfielder.

It is a move which already appears to be paying dividends as Barkley has been able to pose more of a threat in and around opposition penalty areas and it was he who won the two free-kicks from which Leighton Baines scored in Saturday's 3-2 win at West Ham.

Everton return to London on Tuesday night for a Capital One Cup tie at Fulham but, despite having played in the last round, Barkley may find Martinez wants to rest him.

"I'm young, I feel like playing every game and, for me, the more games the better," he told evertontv.

"It's been a good start to the season but I'm hoping to get better as it goes on."

Another player keen to make the most of Everton's unbeaten start to the season is on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, who scored on his debut at the weekend and will be fit to face the Cottagers, despite sustaining a head injury as a direct result of putting the ball in the net.

"He had that incredible impact on Saturday with the start of a new career at a new club and a new chapter in your football time," said Martinez.

"It is one of those good feelings you want to carry on and we are really pleased to have him in that frame of mind.

"The medical department are very happy with him so there are no concerns with Romelu."

Martinez has stressed only players who are 100 per cent fit will be considered and even then he plans to freshen up the side.

That could mean a first appearance of the season for midfielder Darron Gibson, who has been out with injury.

"Darron I consider fully fit," said the Toffees boss.

"He has been working extremely well and has joined the group so that is a great positive for us."

Striker Arouna Kone could also be involved after being left out at West Ham as he was not entirely right after a knee problem.

"He was 95 per cent at the weekend and we didn't want to take the risk. Kone has a 99% chance he will be available," said Martinez.

PA

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