Use your head and sign up now for the Everton FC newsletter Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Even Roberto Martinez admits this remarkable statistic surprised him.

The Everton manager covets the data which is rife in football now thanks to the rise of the analyst, but still relishes the occasional bolt from the blue.

And that's why he was shocked but pleased to see that only Bournemouth midfielder Andy Surman, 29, has covered more ground this season than 35 -year-old Gareth Barry .

"I think that it's a very interesting stat because I don't think that many people, when you watch Gareth play, would come up with that statistic," said the Catalan.

"But it's not just the amount of running that Gareth does - he is clever with his tactical positioning, the way he covers other players and the way he reads the game.

"At the age of 35 to have the physicality to do that is impressive."

Everton will have to make do without their influential midfielder for the next two games, after he was suspended for picking up his second red card of the campaign in last Saturday's FA Cup quarter final win over Chelsea.

But ever the indefatigable optimist, Martinez says the Blues will use that enforced absence to make sure Barry can rest his over-worked legs and return fresh for the run-in.

"Of course we are going to miss him," he said.

"We only have two players who have been ever present in the Premier League this season and he is one of them.

"Clearly these two games he's going to be missed. But there's an international break in the middle and we are going to use it to regenerate him, give him a proper break and make sure he's as strong as possible for the end of the season.

"I am sure we will reap the rewards from that. "