Everton manager Roberto Martinez has praised the attitude of Leighton Baines following heavy speculation he would leave the Merseyside club.

Baines has been the point of constant rumours suggesting his departure from the club, and Martinez has described him as a true professional and a perfect example in testing times.

Martinez has also claimed the Baines is the victim of a transfer window which is inherently flawed, which only serves in applying more pressure on the player.

“I think with Leighton I have said all along he has been a real example in how to be able to cope with the pressures of the transfer window,” said Martinez.

“There are moments when you need to have time to think about your career and your next step and that is normal and that is natural.

“I think what we need to change is that we don't put the human beings in that position while the games are going on because there are other people that can get affected.

“But Leighton Baines has been terrific in the manner that he has always been professional, always done the right things and he has given everything that the he has got.

“You get information in the media that is not necessarily true and that can affect the player in the same manner.

“With Leighton's position from all points of view that has always been the case, nobody has matched his valuation and from that point on there has never been a decision to be made.

“But clearly Leighton Baines has been an example of how a footballer should behave and in many ways it's a case that we should learn from because it's unfair to put a player in that position.”