Steven Pienaar has been ruled out of Everton's clash with
Chelsea on Saturday but Romelu Lukaku could be fit to face his former club.
Both players limped off in Saturday's 2-2 draw with
Arsenal at Goodison Park, as Pienaar was replaced by Leon Osman after just 10
minutes with a groin complaint while Lukaku lasted 76 minutes before coming off
with a toe problem.
Jose Mourinho's Chelsea visit Merseyside next weekend and
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed that midfielder Pienaar will
definitely sit out, but the Spaniard was more hopeful on striker Lukaku - who
joined from Chelsea in a £28million deal in the close-season.
"They have both been assessed," Martinez said
on Tuesday. "Stevie P [Pienaar] is going to miss the game at the weekend.
He is the one that is going to take a little bit of time.
"Stevie is going to be out and he is going to join
Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo who are the only other two players that are not
available.
"Romelu, we will keep assessing him. He has reacted
well in the 48 hours after the game.
"At the moment it is too early to know if he will be
available at the weekend but I am quite positive with Rom."
One player who will compete for a place is midfielder
Darron Gibson, who has not played a competitive match since damaging his
cruciate knee ligament playing for the Republic of Ireland last October.
The 26-year-old was used sparingly during pre-season, but
the ex-Manchester United man is in contention for Saturday.
"Darron Gibson is fully fit and I consider him part
of the squad," Martinez continued. "He will be ready from now on to
join the group and compete for a place."
Culled from Soccerway
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