Kone and Oviedo set for behind closed doors friendly
Long term injured players Bryan Oviedo and Arouna Kone are set for a private friendly behind closed doors as they step up their comebacks from injury. Oviedo had to go back in for minor surgery to remove pins in his leg and the match is being organised to help this and Kone has been out of first team action for over a year with a serious knee injury.
Martinez said: “Bryan is doing really well and sometimes you have to stop him a little bit because he is so enthusiastic.
“We will build him up and make sure that he has a couple of games behind closed doors before he can be seen as fully fit and can fight for his place.
“But we see Bryan being able to participate with his international team in the next international break, that’s how well he has been doing.
“Arouna is in the same boat as Bryan but the only thing with him is that we are being careful we don’t overload him with work.
“As you get the green light from the medical department, you need to introduce yourself slowly and just assess how the knee reacts.
“It was a severe injury and now we need to make sure that slowly he plays in 11-a-side games, because I think that he is going to be an important player for us in the second half of the season.”
This is the first week that Martinez has had the full squad together since August and he is happy to have this option:
“It’s very important because it allows us to treat the players in an individual manner,” he added. “Some will have specific work, others need to regenerate and recover well because the international breaks are good for some players, but demanding for others.
“So this full week of work and preparing for the game is vitally important.
“And, then, there is real excitement around the place about another home game.
“Our performance against Aston Villa was really good and we were surrounded by our amazing supporters with a sell-out crowd.
“We are close to another sell-out against Swansea and it would be magnificent if we were to have a full house to face a very important game in the league.”
Do you think Oviedo or Kone will be able to contribute in decent amounts this season? Comment below or have your say on our dedicated Everton Forum at www.theevertonforum.co.uk/forum