Everton Manager Roberto Martinez has declared England international Ross Barkley won’t be able to make his first team comeback until after the international break. He however, expects the 20-year-old to rejoin the first team training next week. Barkley picked up a devastating knee ligament injury in pre-season, and many feared he wouldn’t be able to play until after the winter. But after undergoing a successful knew surgery, the youngster is ready to make his comeback earlier than expected.
“Ross Barkley is developing well and I hope he will join the group next week to start working with the full team as early as next Wednesday,” the Toffees boss said.
“I think it’s too early (to come back) after the international break.
“He will be back to work with the team after the internationals.”
“We don’t know how long it will take for Ross to be match fit.”
Ross Barkley was an integral part Roberto Martinez’s team that finished 5th place on the Epl log last season. He played 34 games for Everton last season, scoring six goals, and has just signed a new four-year contract at Goodison Park last month.
He was also part of Roy Hodson’s England squad at the FIFA 2014 world cup where he made two substitute appearances and one start in Brazil during the summer. His injury means he missed out England Euro 2016 qualifies against Switzerland and is set to miss the three lion’s upcoming games with San Marino and Estonia in the coming weeks.
He has not also featured for the Toffees this season and manager Roberto Martinez has stressed how much the team have missed him.
“Ross Barkley is a phenomenal footballer and we’re going to miss him, there’s no doubt about it,” said Martinez after the club’s 2-2 draw at Leicester City.
Th fans will be delighted to see Barkley back into the squad as the team has not really picked up from where it left off last season without him. They currently sit  15th on the log after picking just six point from a possible eighteen, winning one, drawing three and losing two of the opening six games. Barkley is an intelligent player and will add the needed creativity in the middle of the park for Everton when he eventually makes his return. Everton travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to face Louis Van Gaal’s struggling Manchester United in the day seven fixture of the Barclays English Pramier League.