Football
ESPN staff 9y

Romelu Lukaku is fit, Samuel Eto'o is a gift from gods, says Roberto Martinez

Everton manager Robert Martinez is confident Romelu Lukaku will be able to face Swansea even though he limped off with a toe injury during last Sunday's 3-1 Premier League win at Burnley.

Lukaku, who scored in the victory, has been troubled by the injury all season but has managed to play through it so far. Martinez expects his striker will be passed fit again for Saturday's clash at Goodison Park.

Martinez said: "He's OK. He had a really painful knock, and in the moment that he scored, he had a couple of painful knocks in the same area.

"But he's been fine. He's been training well, and I just feel it's not going to stop him being fully fit for the next few games before the international break."

Martinez believes that Lukaku is benefiting from playing alongside Samuel Eto'o, signed as a free agent in August after being released by Chelsea.

Eto'o scored twice in an outstanding display at Burnley, starting in a deep attacking position before moving in the centre-forward's role after Lukaku went off.

Martinez said: "To have Samuel Eto'o at our club is like a gift from the footballing gods. To have someone of his experience is a perfect ingredient for our young players.

"Samuel's performance on Sunday was of a really high standard, but so has everything he has done for the club so far. I'm really excited about seeing how well Samuel can adapt to the second half of the season, and finish really strongly.

"His experience and know-how have already been really important during the European games. But I thought the finishes against Burnley were reminiscent of the best of Samuel Eto'o. It was a real gift."

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