Roberto Martinez has revealed that left-back Leighton Baines is on track to make an early return from injury, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Baines, whose role in the back four has been filled with the young Brendan Galloway so far this season, underwent ankle surgery for the second time this year but is recovering ahead of schedule and is looking likely to be available for selection within the next month.
The 30-year-old will be hoping to stay fit for the rest of the season from that point, as the role of first-choice left-back in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad could still be wide open; Manchester United’s Luke Shaw will be out for at least another 5 months, meaning Baines, along with Ryan Bertrand of Southampton and Kieran Gibbs of Arsenal are all candidates to play at the tournament. That said, Shaw could still recover in time for the tournament so the former Wigan star has a fight on his hands to get on the plane to France next summer.
Roberto Martinez is hoping that by the time Baines makes his long-awaited return from injury, his entire squad will be fit – the Liverpool Echo claim that Steven Pienaar and Tom Cleverley are also close to returning to match fitness.
Everton’s next match comes on Saturday, when Manchester United visit Goodison Park – with John Stones set to feature.
