Leighton Baines has claimed that a number of Manchester City players were surprised to see Gareth Barry join Everton on loan in the summer.

The midfielder, 32, left City to sign a season-long deal with the Toffees on transfer deadline day.

"I've known Gareth through the England set-up and I've always rated him really highly," Sky Sports News quotes Baines as saying.

"The City lads on the last international break were saying that they can't believe that they haven't kept him and he doesn't play for them. That says enough about his worth for any team he plays in."

Barry made his Everton debut during Saturday's 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Premier League.