Football
Mike Whalley 9y

Everton fitness boost as Tom Cleverley and Steven Pienaar set for U21s return

Tom Cleverley and Steven Pienaar are set to step up their injury comebacks by playing for Everton's under-21 team on Tuesday.

Midfielders Cleverley and Pienaar will line up against Schalke at Goodison Park in the Premier League International Cup, manager Roberto Martinez says.

England international Cleverley -- signed on a free transfer from Manchester United in July -- has not played since suffering ankle ligament damage against Tottenham on Aug. 29, while former South Africa captain Pienaar has been out of action since suffering a preseason hamstring injury.

"It will be a fantastic boost to have Tom back, not just for him to be fully fit but for what he brings to the squad," Martinez told the club's official website.

Everton's senior side will shortly face three games in nine days, with Premier League matches against Arsenal and Sunderland either side of a Capital One Cup fourth-round home tie against Norwich.

Martinez wants to give match time to left-back Bryan Oviedo, centre backs Tyias Browning and Mason Holgate and goalkeeper Joel Robles against Schalke, in order to increase his options -- with some degree of squad rotation likely for the Norwich game.

The manager added: "It is an important period for us so to have everyone fully fit will be important.

"To see Tom play some part of the game, to see Steven Pienaar as well and Bryan Oviedo stepping up his match fitness is a fantastic opportunity to have a little bit of individual treatment within the squad, and seeing if they can make the squad at the weekend.

"On top of that you have Tyias Browning, Joel Robles and Mason Holgate playing a part as well."

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