Everton handed Phil Jagielka boost as Roberto Martinez confirms double deal talks

Phil Jagielka is set to return for Everton's busy Christmas fixture list

PHIL JAGIELKA is set to boost Everton's Champions League push by returning from injury during the busy Christmas schedule.

 

The England centre-back saw a specialist yesterday and has been given the all clear to step up his training in a fortnight.

Jagielka has been sidelined since the end of October when he suffered knee ligament damage in the defeat to Arsenal.

But manager Roberto Martinez hopes his skipper will be back before the end of 2015 and is targeting the game with Stoke on December 28 for his comeback.

 

"Phil had very good news from the specialist," said Martinez. "We are well on track, probably ahead of what we are expecting. Now we are going into the final period of 15 working days before he can join the group.

"Realistically we are looking at the fixtures after Boxing Day, Stoke and Spurs at home. That is very realistic. In Phil's case it has been a shorter period, it was a straight forward knee injury and he has recovered really well from it.

"Those are the parameters."

 



Roberto Martinez will hold talks with Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith in January



Everton face Norwich at lunchtime on Saturday with Leighton Baines likely to continue to be eased back into matches rather than asked to play 90-minutes.

Martinez also confirmed he will sit down with the likes of Steven Naismith and Kevin Mirallas to discuss their futures ahead of the January transfer window.

The Everton manager wants to keep his squad intact – he does not expect to sign or sell anyone – and with 11 games between now and the end of January believes all of his players will be utilised.

"It is so important to have a strong squad," he said. "Every single player will have an important role.

 

Roberto Martinez wants to keep his Everton squad in tact

"January is not a window we are looking at to bring players in. Sometimes it is a window of opportunity and we will always keep that in mind, but January is about trying to continue that continuity.

"All the players have to have real clarity on their roles. A player needs to be ready to fight for the position and add to the team.

"Steven is a very intelligent footballer and it has been a very frustrating period for him.

"But you could get suspensions and injuries. The competition for places is as strong as it could have been."