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James McCarthy is glad his midfield partner Gareth Barry has joined Everton on a permanent basis - and he expects there to be added competition for places in the Blues’ engine room next season.

With Darron Gibson returning from a long injury lay-off and Muhamed Besic on the verge of joining from Ferencvaros, Roberto Martinez will have more options for the 2014-15 campaign.

The duo will challenge the established central pair of McCarthy and Barry, who has joined Everton from Manchester City on a permanent basis having spent a successful loan spell at Goodison last season.

McCarthy, talking to the ECHO’s Greg O’Keeffe in Thailand, said: “It’s a massive signing. It was brilliant to work with him last season. He’s an experienced head. He talks away on and off the pitch.”

The Republic of Ireland international, 23, added: “There’s real competition now. We’ve got Gibbo coming back and obviously we’ve got the new boy, Muhamed. We need it this season with so many games. We’re all looking forward to it. We’ll have to be on our toes.”

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