John Stones could make his return from injury this weekend against Manchester United.
The defender missed the games against Liverpool and West Brom, and it was decided that he would not go to the England camp during the international break.
Speaking to Everton’s official site, Roberto Martinez explained how close the Englishman is to a return. He said: “I think he should be ready. Remember that John has been having a lot of quality work at Finch Farm and it will be a matter of just getting that match fitness.”
“We have still got three very important days ahead of that fixture in terms of preparation so we’ll get a better idea on Friday of where John is.
“I would say medically he is ready now. He’s been joining the group and from a medical point of view I don’t think there is a concern or worry.”
Stones is not the only name on the absentees list. Tom Cleverley, Leighton Baines, Bryan Oviedo, Steven Pienaar, Tony Hibbert, Mo Besic and Seamus Coleman have also spent time on the sidelines, but Coleman is expected to recover for the weekend.
Martinez also gave updates on where the others were on their recovery”
“We are taking it step by step, but to see Tom and Leighton joining the group, that [means] they are at the final stage of any recovery from injury.
“I expect them to be available, with Steven Pienaar, over the next two or three weeks. Before the next international break, I am very much looking forward to having all these players back and all these players feeling like footballers again.
“Tony Hibbert is doing really well as well and I expect a very quick recovery and Mo Besic is very similar to Tony.
“So I expect over the next two or three weeks to get probably most of the players back and that’s something that we’ve been looking forward to having because the different possibilities with the different players in this squad is very exciting.”
