ROBERTO MARTINEZ will not risk rushing Everton captain Phil Jagielka back to action against Manchester City despite the importance of tomorrow's Capital One Cup semi-final, first leg, showdown.
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| Phil Jagielka will return to start for Everton against Dagenham & Redbridge in the FA Cup |
Jagielka was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Sunday after being out since the end of October with a knee injury sustained against Arsenal.
Martinez has been unhappy with Everton's defending at Goodison Park where they have conceded 20 goals, compared to eight away from home, but will not jeopardise Jagielka's fitness against City.
Instead, the England centre-back has been pencilled in to start against League Two side Dagenham and Redbridge in the FA Cup Third Round on Saturday.
"No, he will not play against City," said Martinez. "He is not fit. Against Tottenham, he would have been fit for 15 minutes maximum.
"For us it was important to have the figure of a captain who could give us a comfort feeling. The FA Cup third round is a more realistic target to start.
"We have been conceding goals cheaply at home and it's something we had to rectify. It's not normal in us to have such a different record away from home and at home."
Meanwhile, Everton are on the verge of completing a deal for Swiss under-21 forward Shani Tarashaj, although he is likely to be loaned back to Grasshoppers.
Martinez is also keen on Leeds United's Sam Byram, 22, who is out of contract in the summer and also being targeted by West Ham, Watford and Newcastle.
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