Everton boss Roberto Martinez has shrugged off criticism from departing defender Sylvain Distin.

Martinez has no plans to give Distin, who has made more than 200 appearances since signing from Portsmouth in 2009 the chance to say goodbye to Everton fans as he maintained the progress of John Stones is the reason why the veteran has been overlooked.

"I don't think so," said Martinez. "We need to prepare for next season and we are not in a situation just to give a send-off to anyone for any reason.

"We don't know what is going to happen with injuries or if anything changes in next two games, but we will make changes to experiment about next season, or anything we can use towards that with the new squad.

"(Am I worried about the truth coming out?) No, not at all, I can understand Sylvain's position 100 per cent.

"I'm sure that if he comes out and tells the truth I'm sure he's going to say the truth.

"His situation has never been an issue in terms of anything away from having a difficult period as a team defensively and you have to find the best partnership.

"You get a young man like John Stones who has come up and emerged and you can only play 11 players."