Summary:
Everton boss Roberto Martinez says he is 'not replaceable' after the England midfielder missed out on a first Premier League start of the season with a knee injury.

Full article:
By . Dominic King for the Daily Mail . Follow @@DominicKing_DM . Roberto Martinez insists Ross Barkley is lucky his season is not over as he begins his recovery from knee-ligament damage. Barkley will miss the next eight weeks following a training ground collision with Gareth Barry. The 20-year-old has his knee in a protective brace but Martinez believes he can be thankful he is not awaiting an operation. Fortunate: Everton boss Roberto Martinez says Barkley is lucky that he does not need surgery . Big blow: Martinez will be without 20-year-old Barkley for eight weeks because of a knee injury . ‘I’ve seen that situation cause an injury that is a full rupture, which then requires surgery and is a far more serious injury. Ross only has a partial tear,’ he said. ‘He is fortunate really, yes, it could have been a lot worse. If that action happened earlier in pre-season it would have been a full rupture. ‘It is a big blow. Ross is not replaceable.’ Top talent: Barkley (left) injured his right knee in training prior to the start of the season . Sorely missed: Barkley's injury ruled him out of Everton's 2-2 Premier League draw at Leicester on Saturday .