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Sylvain Distin promised chance of Goodison Park farewell

Image: Sylvain Distin: Promised chance to say goodbye by Roberto Martinez

Everton manager Martinez has promised to allow defender Sylvain Distin the chance to say farewell at Goodison Park on Sunday.

The 37-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has spent the second half of the season playing with the U21s after last featuring in a Premier League matchday squad on January 31.

Although the Frenchman did not attend the club’s annual awards on Wednesday, Martinez said he had no personal issues with Distin and he would be given the opportunity to end his career against Tottenham in front of the home fans, providing the “the game allows it”.

"Sometimes as a manager you have a tough job to make decisions for the good of the team and that happens in every dressing room,” he was quoted in the Liverpool Echo.

"You don't have anything personal with any player - all you want is what's good for the team.

if he is available he will have an opportunity just to give his farewell to the fans
Roberto Martinez

"He has had a bit of an illness in the last two or three days," he said. "We will assess him and if he is available he will have an opportunity just to give his farewell to the fans."

"It is quite easy to see what a great servant he has been to the club in the last five seasons. Last campaign he was immaculate with his performances and he deserves the opportunity to give his final farewell - if the game allows it against Spurs."

Defender Antolin Alcaraz is another player out of contract, and 21-year-old Luke Garbutt’s current deal only has a month left to run. While Alcaraz’s future is in doubt, Martinez has made an offer to secure Garbutt’s future at Goodison Park.

Martinez has also backed England U21 coach Gareth Southgate and the Football Association over their decision to omit midfielder Ross Barkley from the squad for this summer's European Championship in the Czech Republic.

“Ross has not been involved with the U21s qualifying to the tournament so it doesn’t really make sense to be involved now without having that chemistry with the other players or understanding the dynamics of the group."

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