Everton To Have Full Squad After Break
Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar believes that Manager Roberto Martinez will have a stronger and fitter squad to pick from after the international break.
The South African himself just returned to action last weekend after been sidelined with a thigh injury since the start of the new season and he expects the other injured team mates to be fit and ready for selection in the nearest future.
The 32-year-old started and played for 64 minutes in the game against Manchester United on Sunday- his third Premier league game for Everton so far this season.
Steven Pienaar however, believes fellow team mates- Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy and Ross Barkley could be back and ready for selection when the international break is over. Stating that their coming back will mean more competition and a stronger squad.
“Ross should be back soon, then. hopefully Seamus and James and we can push on and fight,” He said
“There will be more competition in the team and I can sharpen up myself.
“It’s important to get a lot of games under your belt. That’s the only way you get sharp and I need that.”
Seamus Coleman has not played for Everton since suffering a head injury in their Europa League game against Wolfsburg last month and fellow team mate McCarthy has been out with a quad muscle injury.
Roberto Martinez had hoped both players will have a late fitness test before the game against Manchester United at Old Trafford but it seemed the pair couldn’t make it on time to be part of the United trip.
“We could get some players back this weekend, James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman will have late fitness tests, so it’s too early to tell on those
two” The Italian Manager had said ahead of the United game.
Ross Barkley who picked up a devastating knee ligament injury in pre-season is expected to resume training with the first squad this week and join up with the rest of the team after the international break.
“Ross Barkley is developing well,” said Martinez last week “I hope he can join the group as early as next Wednesday and start working with the full team.”
“I think he will be back training with the team after the international break and then we will have to see how long it’ll take Ross to get back to match fitness from then.
Everton have not started strongly as they finished last season and this has seen them drop points to teams like like Chelsea and Crystal Palace at home this season. They currently sit 15th on the log after picking just six points from a possible eighteen, winning one, drawing three and loosing three of the opening seven games. They had finished 5th after an impressive campaign last season and will look to get their season started once they have the compliment of the full squad.
They face Aston Villa at home on 18th October after the international break and coach Roberto Martinez will hope to have all the players fit and ready for action except for John Stones.
The 20-year-old England younster who has just been handed his first competitive England start last month
against Switzerland by manager Roy Hodgson sustained an ankle injury in Everton’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United last weekend and could sidelined for up to eight weeks.