Phil Jagielka is set to return to the Everton team for Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at Manchester City, while Joel Robles will continue to be between the sticks as he has done for all cup fixtures this term.
Definitely missing the match, however, are Kevin Mirallas and Muhamed Besic who were both forced out of Sunday’s game with tendon and hamstring injuries respectively.
Seamus Coleman is on course to make his first start in over three weeks and Roberto Martinez also revealed that James McCarthy will play some part in the second leg after overcoming the hip problem that has restricted him to just 26 minutes of action in the last two months.
Tom Cleverley and Steven Pienaar are also in contention to start after getting through the Swansea match on Sunday with no problems.
The hosts will be without a number of key players, with manager Manuel Pellegrini admitting he will shuffle his pack.
LAST MEETING: Manchester City 0-0 Everton, Wednesday 13 January 2016
The second instalment of the Everton - Manchester City trilogy ended in stalemate at the Etihad Stadium.
The sharing of the spoils was largely down to the exploits of Tim Howard in the Everton goal - though Leon Osman’s searing first-half volley would have been worthy of wining any game had it crept inside the post.
And Everton’s improved defensive resilience and danger on the counter suggested the final part of the New Year triple header will be a tense and tightly-contested affair.
FORMThe Toffees suffered their first defeat of 2016 at the hands of Swansea on Sunday, but there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic for the trip to Manchester.
Of course, the goalless draw at the Etihad two weeks ago would be a result that would still ensure a place at Wembley, but the Blues’ away form has been strong all season.
Indeed, just one loss on the road in all competitions – at Arsenal in October – means Martinez’s men can be confident come 7.45pm.
City go into the tie on the back of a 2-2 draw at West Ham, a result which saw them lose ground in the title race.
KEY MAN: Sergio Aguero
It seems the Citizens’ Argentine frontman is fully fit after recent injuries – at least if his form in front of goal is anything to go by.
Four goals in his last two games – against Crystal Palace and the Hammers – show the 27-year-old has not lost his clinical edge or troublesome pace.
Aguero could come up against his international teammate Ramiro Funes Mori in what could be one of the game’s pivotal battles.