TEAM NEWSRomelu Lukaku has been declared fit for Wednesday’s Premier League encounter at Manchester City.
The Belgian limped off with an ankle knock shortly after scoring in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg win over the Citizens a week prior and subsequently sat out the FA Cup third round victory against Dagenham & Redbridge.
But Roberto Martinez confirmed his main striker is cleared to play at his pre-match press conference.
Tom Cleverley is rated 50-50 for the clash but Ramiro Funes Mori is available despite having 10 stitches in a head wound on Saturday.
Seamus Coleman is likely to be out for the next two weeks as he recovers from a hamstring strain, while James McCarthy is also still sidelined.
Martinez also hinted that Tim Howard is likely to return in goal, replacing Joel Robles who has played in the last two cup ties.
The hosts, meanwhile, will be without Vincent Kompany and Wilfried Bony (both calf), Samir Nasri (knee), Mangala (hamstring) and Fernandinho.
FORMEverton are unbeaten in 2016, with a draw against Tottenham Hotspur preceding the wins against City and Dagenham & Redbridge.
The Citizens were drawn against Norwich City in the FA Cup and cruised through with a 3-0 win to bounce back from defeat at Goodison.
Sergio Aguero, Kelechi Ineanacho and Kevin De Bruyne were on the scoresheet – and the Toffees must be at their best again to keep the league’s top scorers quiet on Wednesday.
LAST MEETING: Everton 2-1 Manchester City, Wednesday 6 January 2016
A game that will last far longer in the memory than the seven days that separate meetings – and not least for the atmosphere at Goodison.
The roof nearly came off when Ramiro Funes Mori finished from close range just before half time, with the Argentine in the right place when Ross Barkley’s shot could only be parried by Willy Caballero.
The Blues were up for the occasion, sensing a chance to get a step closer to Wembley, but were caught on the counter when Jesus Navas scored midway through the second half.
Heads refused to drop, however, and Martinez’s men were back ahead within minutes – Gareth Barry’s left-wing cross was pin-point for the head of Romelu Lukaku.
The Gwladys – and the rest of the Grand Old Lady - was rocking. The Blues must now visit the Etihad again on 27 January to complete the job.
KEY MAN: David Silva
Many expected City to suffer when their mercurial midfielder was ruled out for nearly two months earlier this season, but defeats to Liverpool and Juventus aside, Silva’s absence did not appear to be felt.
In fact, Manuel Pellegrini’s men went goal crazy as they moved up a gear – spurred by the likes of big summer signings Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne.
But Silva remains an integral part to the way City play, finding space between the lines and always possessing a deadly pass in his locker.
Just one goal so far this term, but seven assists mean that the 30-year-old may require the close attention of Gareth Barry et al in the middle of the park.
