Everton manager Roberto Martinez has conceded he still does not know if left-back Leighton Baines requires surgery on his ankle.
The England international missed last Saturday’s clash against Watford on the opening weekend of the season.
After the 2-2 draw Martinez confirmed Baines had suffered another injury to the same ankle that saw him miss the end of last season.
He aggravated it again in training just weeks after going under the knife for the previous problem and Baines is now facing another spell on the sidelines.
Martinez is hoping to find out more in the next 24 hours but the former Wigan boss admits it is a huge blow for the 30-year-old.
He told the Liverpool Echo: “I don’t expect Leighton to be involved in the next two squads. If it is surgery then he will be out for the same period he had previously, if not then it will be much quicker.
“When you see a player fighting to get fit and ahead of everything he does, who is fresh and being such a big influence on the team – it is a disaster to lose that influence.
“When you are injured that is the lowest you are as a player. When you come through that to then get a very silly accident, where the ball just hits you in the same area is a very, very disappointing moment.”
Martinez will be hoping his side can return to winning ways when they take on Southampton on Saturday.
The Saints are available at 2.00 to win, while the draw is 3.30, with Everton at 4.00.
Leave a comment
Link Dafabet