Everton FC boss weighs up Hibbert and Stones for FA Cup Stevenage clash
23 Jan 2014 07:31
Blues boss also confirms Barkley set to miss out with broken toe
Everton's John Stones (left) is in contention to start the FA Cup clash against Stevenage
Roberto Martinez will weigh up the claims of Tony Hibbert and John Stones if he is forced to be without in-form full-back Seamus Coleman for any period of time this season.
But the Blues boss confirmed that Ross Barkley was unlikely to have recovered from his broken toe in time to line up against Liverpool next Tuesday.
Coleman and Barkley have enjoyed inspired seasons, with Coleman in particular sparkling with a remarkable five goals in his last 10 starts – from right-back, and all from open play.
But at West Bromwich Albion on Monday the Irish international limped off holding his hamstring and could be sidelined for a spell.
John Stones, who deputised impressively in central defence against Stoke, Queens Park Rangers and Norwich recently, started his career at right-back with Barnsley, while Hibbert has made the vast majority of his 317 Everton appearances at right-back – although only one this season.
Merseyside derby A-Z: An alphabetical guide to all things Everton and Liverpool and the world's most famous derby
Stones came on at The Hawthorns for Coleman, but Martinez explained: “When Seamus came off John Stones came on due to the fact that he was a bit more match fit than Hibbo, because he has been playing of late and it is easier for him to pick up the pace.
“But Hibbo has the experience to play and both players are very similar in their ability to adapt to several positions – right-back, centre-half, a back-three.
“It’s more a matter of allowing Hibbo to get that match fitness and being able to start games rather than coming on as a sub.
“Both players will be important and they will have to be ready!”
On Barkley’s fitness, Martinez added: “It’s difficult. We always felt that the fracture would take a little bit of time. It’s not as bad as Leighton Baines’ – Bainesy took probably five weeks where normally the medical department says six weeks.
“With Ross it can be anything between three and five weeks so it’s very doubtful, but I wouldn’t count him out because of the way he is.
“It’s still a little bit too early to know if he’s going to make the derby.”
The Blues boss vowed, though, that his players would not allow the looming derby match to distract their focus from Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Stevenage.
Everton kick-off the fourth round clash at tea-time in their first-ever visit to the Lamex Stadium.
“I see it as another really busy week. Obviously when you’ve got three games in eight days it’s a matter of using the strength of the squad and sharing the demands,” said Martinez.
“For us it’s important that we approach the game against Stevenage really well, regardless of what the game is after, whether it’s the Merseyside derby, or playing Aston Villa, it doesn’t matter.
“We need to be able to share the efforts of the squad, as we did in the Christmas period.
“The players understand the significance of every point in the league, but in the same way we have an opportunity to progess in the FA Cup.
“There are great games around the corner, and the Merseyside derby is one of them, but there is also Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal which will be big gaems and we have to take it game by game.
“The competition for places now doesn’t allow you to think any further than the next game.
It is that period of the season when you have a lot of knocks and a lot of injuries and you need to make sure we get everybody fully fit as quickly as we can.”
Source: Echo
