Everton manager Roberto Martinez insists summer arrival Funes Mori is fully capable of filling the boots of injured skipper Phil Jagielka, starting in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup clash against Norwich City.
The England international picked up a knee problem in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal after a challenge with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and further tests have ruled the defender out for two months.
Jagielka has been a key member for the club this season and the 33-year-old has played in every one of the three games that the team have managed to keep a clean sheet in.
He will be a big miss for Martinez, who is set to be without his captain until the Boxing Day fixture against Newcastle United, but the Spaniard is confident Mori will be able to step in.
The Argentine arrived from Monterrey in the recent transfer window and the centre-back has featured five times – four in the Premier League and once in the League Cup.
Martinez has been pleased with the way Mori has adapted to English football and the former Wigan boss is adamant he will make up for the loss of Jagielka.
“Ramiro has been adapting himself to the British game really well and it has been a very natural process,” he said. “He’s ready to enjoy playing in the Premier League.”
Everton are the 1.70 favourites to defeat the Canaries at Goodison Park, a draw is priced at 3.80 while the visitors are the outsiders at 5.00.
The Toffees have suffered back-to-back defeats in the league to Manchester United and Arsenal while Norwich have lost their last three, and have not tasted success in their last five outings.
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