Everton boss Roberto Martinez has likened James McCarthy to three of the club's greats.
Alan Ball, Colin Harvey and Howard Kendall were christened the Holy Trinity such was their influence at Goodison between 1967 and 1971.
"I think James knows exactly the way I like that midfield role to be played, but he also fits in so well to the Everton culture," said Martinez to the Liverpool Echo.
"You always talk about the midfield Trinity at Everton and I think Ball, Harvey and Kendall would be extremely proud of James McCarthy.
"His work-rate, his willingness to play for the team...technically he's as good as you're going to get and the way he looks after himself allows himself to be physically always pristine.
"He's a very important player for us."
