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Post by Everton News on May 13, 2015 14:07:41 GMT
 Everton full-back could require surgery on persistent ankle problem England could face a left-back shortage for next month’s matches against the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia, with Leighton Baines potentially requiring surgery on a persistent ankle problem.The Everton defender has suffered pain in an ankle for several weeks and aggravated the injury during Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by Sunderland. He will discover whether an operation is necessary this week, with Everton keen to resolve the problem in readiness for the start of next season. Baines would miss the friendly in Dublin on 7 June plus the European Championship qualifier in Slovenia the following week should a specialist propose surgery and an end to his Premier League season. With Luke Shaw likely to be included in Gareth Southgate’s plans for England’s involvement in the European Under-21 Championship this summer, the absence of the Manchester United full-back and Baines would reduce Roy Hodgson’s options to Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand and Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs for the international double-header. Roberto Martínez, the Everton manager, has not categorically ruled out Baines from his side’s visit to West Ham United on Saturday but admits the club need a long-term solution to the problem. Surgery now would improve the 30-year-old’s prospects of being available for pre-season training and fit for the new league campaign from 8 August. “It’s a situation where we need to find out exactly what’s causing the pain,” said Martínez. “We want to find the solution so that Leighton can be pain-free because it seems like it’s a problem that’s been developing over a couple of weeks now and we need to put it right. He’ll see the specialist this week and we’ll make sure that before Friday we know if he’s going to be available for the squad against West Ham or not.” Luke Garbutt will replace Baines in his likely absence but the England Under-21 international remains on course to leave Goodison Park this summer having failed to agree a new contract. By Andy Hunter / Guardian |
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tellmema
Monster Midfielder
Posts: 1,398
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Post by tellmema on May 13, 2015 14:13:00 GMT
Then give Garbutt a call up?
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3in11
Monster Midfielder
No easy games in this league.
Posts: 1,773
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Post by 3in11 on May 13, 2015 14:16:11 GMT
One obvious answer to England's LB 'problem' would be to promote Garbutt from the Under 21's....which would also serve as a reality check for RM: Baines not getting any younger - or more valuable - Garbutt worth the effort to keep.
This whole LB issue is one of the most perplexing to understand.
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Post by dorf on May 13, 2015 14:42:45 GMT
We need to start rebuilding our squad and bringing in younger players. Garbutt has the quality but not the experience and he won't get it as long as Baines is taking his place.
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Post by Avinalaff on May 13, 2015 18:29:13 GMT
We need to start rebuilding our squad and bringing in younger players. Garbutt has the quality but not the experience and he won't get it as long as Baines is taking his place. Luke is 22 now, or at least will be in a weeks time. He can't sit on the bench for 2 more seasons waiting for Baines to move on. If I was Luke, I would leave, and that's the sad part. We also have Oviedo, so Martinez has a decision to make. If I was Roberto, I'd look in the mirror and pretend I knew it all sell Baines. His corners are poor, and he no longer takes freekicks or penalties. His best is when Pienaar plays, but Pienaar is deadwood now and can't keep fit, and so Baines should move on while he has the chance to win something. |
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