Everton will reject John Stones transfer request, says Roberto Martinez as he

Everton manager Roberto Martinez played Stones against his old club despite the transfer hype but the way in which the Toffees were made to struggle by third-tier Barnsley at Oakwell is unlikely to strengthen his resolve to stay with the Toffees.

“But I don’t agree that he might spend the next two years on the bench, I don’t think that will happen”.

“Our fans know that all we are doing is to try to become better and John is a massive part of that. We want to do well in all the competitions we are involved in”.

Despite Martinez’s determination to keep Stones, who joined Everton from Barnsley for £3 million in January 2013, the defender is convinced he can persuade the club to sell him before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

‘The situation with John is very clear.

Stones initially blocked Winnall’s attempt at the near post, Pennington and Phil Jagielka collided with the Everton captain inadvertently diverting the loose ball back to Winnall, a free signing from Scunthorpe last summer, and Stones failed to block the shot.

The game to yet another twist before the final whistle when Gerard Deulofeu’s low cross was instinctively stabbed home by Lukaku after 78 minutes as the game entered extra-time.

Lewin Nyatanga could only head Bryan Oviedo’s left-wing cross to the lurking Kevin Mirallas on the penalty spot, who rifled in a half-volley.

Deulofeu was Everton’s saviour and on 78 minutes, he crossed for Romelu Lukaku to equalise.

Still, Barnsley refused to lie down and Conor Hourihane hit the bar before Barkley set up Lukaku to finish them off with Everton’s fifth. An enormous celebration about football.

‘It was a test to see if we could come back into the scoreline, but it was terrific to see the younger players showing up after a performance that was not acceptable in the first half’. “We should look after our players”. I think it’s wrong for the footballing authorities to allow the window to be open when there are important official games being played. It’s becoming a bit of a circus. As a young man, you are under massive pressure and you are going to get influences.