LIVERPOOL -- Everton midfielder James McCarthy should be fully fit for the rest of the season while goalkeeper Tim Howard could return for Saturday's Merseyside derby against Liverpool, according to Roberto Martinez.
Multiple reports on Thursday suggested McCarthy was set to miss Saturday's Premier League home game against city rivals Liverpool after suffering an injury setback.
The Republic of Ireland international has been dogged by hamstring trouble for the last three months, and did not feature in last Saturday's 1-0 win at Crystal Palace even though Martinez said he was available.
Toffees manager Martinez confirmed that McCarthy did have a hospital scan on his hamstring on Wednesday but added that there were no new problems, saying: "He hasn't suffered a setback. He was in hospital yesterday having a scan to make sure that he's fully recovered.
"The scan shows that he's perfectly healed and now it's a matter of adapting him to the match intensity.
"I expect James to be available for the squad for the weekend, so that's terrific, terrific news in that respect."
Martinez added that there is no need for the 24-year-old to alter his energetic playing style to avoid further hamstring problems.
He said: "The playing style is very much where you are, and that's one of the real strengths of James' play.
"What is important is that we help him as much as we can in terms of the nutrition, footwear, anything that could have an effect on getting the tissues tired.
"He's a very young man still, but he's a sprinter, and he plays in midfield, so his tissues need to be well looked after.
"You get those situations. There are times when you pick up an injury and it's a problem just to get rid of it.
"Now I expect James to be clear and fully fit for the rest of the season."
Meanwhile, U.S. international Howard -- who is not leaving Goodison Park, according to Martinez -- could return this weekend having been out of action since suffering a calf injury during a 1-0 defeat at home to Stoke on Dec. 26.
Howard is back in full training, and Martinez is thinking about recalling the 35-year-old despite medical advice that suggests he should not be risked for another seven days.
The manager added: "It will be important to make the right decision. Tim feels strong and he feels ready.
"But the medical advice is to give him another week to make sure that he's fully healed, and that we don't take any risks.
"With a soft tissue problem, you need to be a little bit wary. But it's incredible how quickly he's recovered, and how well he's doing in training.
"We're going to assess him over the next couple of days."