Romelu Lukaku is rated at 50-50 for Everton’s clash with Swansea this weekend, but Roberto Martinez says they have enough talent to cope without him.
The striker has been a revelation again this season when firing home 18 goals, but he has been struggling with a hamstring injury that forced him to sit out the 1-0 win over Southampton.
Martinez will not take any risks on the 21-year-old and will only play him if he 100 per cent fit, meaning Aroune Kone will again lead the attack.
Kone has struggled for goals but Martinez has every faith in the player as they look to finish the season strongly.
“Romelu is a massive player for us and it would be a worry if we were not to miss him,” said Martinez.
“We need to give as much time as we can before the game on Saturday.
“At the moment he is still 50-50 because it is an injury we need to make sure is 100 per cent well healed before we put him on the pitch.
“It is not a major problem and he has been working well the last two days even though he hasn’t joined the group yet.
“The goalscoring threat Rom brings to the side is unique and we don’t have a like-for-like replacement in that respect but we have other players who have shown they can bring a different way of playing and can be as effective.
“Arouna Kone is fully fit and I feel in the last three games in the league he is showing to be himself.
“There are other players around who can take responsibility for not having Romelu on the pitch.”
Everton are priced at 2.89 to win at the Liberty Stadium, with the home side the 2.49 favourites and the draw 3.10.
Leave a comment
Link Dafabet