Football
Mike Whalley 8y

Everton's Tom Cleverley '100 percent ready' for return vs. Arsenal - Martinez

LIVERPOOL -- Tom Cleverley could make his Everton return when they visit Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, manager Roberto Martinez says.

And the Everton boss has also indicated that Steven Pienaar is close to ending almost a year of injury misery.

Cleverley has been out of action since suffering ankle ligament damage during a 0-0 draw at Tottenham on Aug. 29, while fellow midfielder Pienaar has made just one first-team appearance in 2015 after a series of injury problems.

They both featured as over-age players for Everton's under-21 side as they were beaten 1-0 by Schalke in the Premier League International Cup on Tuesday.

Cleverley arguably has the greater chance of facing Arsenal, but both are close to full fitness -- as is Costa Rica left-back Bryan Oviedo, who has been struggling with knee ligament problems.

Martinez said: "I think it's fair to say that it's just a case of seeing how Tom reacts after the game on Tuesday, and the next two sessions are going to be very important to measure that.

"From a medical point of view, he's 100 percent ready. It's a case of trying to work on his match fitness really, more than anything.

"It was a very significant boost to see Steven Pienaar complete 45 minutes against Schalke, which was the plan, and for Tom to extend that to 60 minutes, and to see Bryan Oviedo complete 90 minutes.

"It's been great to see them coming back so sharp and ready to add to the squad. From that point of view, it's very good news."

Left-back Leighton Baines -- who has missed the entire season to date with an ankle injury -- is expected to be fit within the next two weeks, while midfielder Mo Besic is close to recovering from a hamstring problem.

Martinez, meanwhile, has reassured winger Kevin Mirallas that he still has a big role to play despite leaving him out of his starting XI against Manchester United last Saturday.

Mirallas was left on the bench for the 3-0 defeat, having returned from a three-match ban incurred for a sending off against Swansea on Sep. 19.

The manager added: "Kevin is a really important player for us. That will never change. He's been very unfortunate. That happens at different moments in your career.

"As a player, you go through little spells where, for one reason or another, you can't get any momentum. I expect Kevin to discover that momentum.

"The goal scoring threat he brings is very important to us. I do expect Kevin to have a massive, massive say in our performances ahead."

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