TEAM NEWS
Roberto Martinez expects Samuel Eto’o to be available to play against Wolfsburg.
The Everton manager said on Saturday that he hoped the former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker, who sat out of the 2-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion, would be fit for the Toffees’ opening Europa League match.
And Martinez confirmed that was still the case when he addressed the media at Finch Farm on Wednesday afternoon.
Sylvain Distin is also closing in on a return from a dead leg and Tony Hibbert is another who could come into contention to play against the German outfit.
Martinez revealed: “In terms of the squad we had at West Brom, we didn’t pick up any injuries in that game. Everyone that was available for that game is available tomorrow.
“Samuel Eto’o should be available for selection. Sylvain Distin will be [available] and Tony Hibbert.”
Samuel Eto'o: The Cameroon forward should be fit to play in Everton's opening Europa League game.
Bryan Oviedo and Arouna Kone stepped up their comebacks from long-term injuries by playing in the Under-21s’ defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.
Martinez is delighted with their progress but accepts that Thursday night’s game will come too soon for the duo to make a first-team return.
He continued: “Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo they completed the game with the Under-21s which was really positive.
“I wouldn’t think they will be ready for the squad but they are not far away.”
FORM
Everton got their first victory of the campaign on Saturday, with goals from Belgian duo Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas earning the 2-0 success at West Brom.
Wolfsburg are still awaiting their first league win this season, with the German side having picked up just three points from their opening three games.
Dieter Hecking’s outfit began their campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat at champions Bayern Munich, where goals from Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben put Bayern ahead, before Ivica Olic reduced the deficit.
Dieter Hecking: The Wolfsburg boss has also managed Hannover and Nurnburg.
Wolfsburg hosted Frankfurt in their next game and, after taking a 2-1 lead through efforts from Naldo and Maximilian Arnold, saw a late goal rob them of all three points.
But it was they themselves who stole a point a week later when they travelled to Hoffenheim, Olic salvaging something from the fixture with just a minute to play.
LAST MEETING
VfL Wolfsburg 2-0 Everton, Saturday 7 August 2010
Wolfsburg, then managed by Steven McClaren, hosted Everton in a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2010/11 campaign.
It was the Blues' final pre-season outing before attention turned to the Premier League and it ended in a 2-0 defeat at the Volkswagen Arena.
Striker Mario Mandzukic opened the scoring on 17 minutes, before Karim Ziani doubled their lead when his floated cross eluded Tim Howard and found the top corner.
Thursday's meeting will be the first between the two sides in a competitive situation.
ONE TO WATCH: IVICA OLIC
His career spans 18 years but 34-year-old Ivica Olic still possesses the ability to score goals in important matches against big opponents.
Ivica Olic: The 34-year-old journeyman striker is expected to lead the line for Wolfsburg on Thursday evening.
The forward has found the net consistently throughout his career and he has carried that trait into this campaign, netting twice in Wolfsburg’s opening three games, including that last-gasp equaliser in their last outing against Frankfurt.
Signing for Wolfsburg ahead of the 2012/13 season, Olic brought plenty of experience in addition to a long list of successes, having appeared in two Champions League finals with former club Bayern Munich, as well as three World Cups with his nation, Croatia.