Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Injured trio's recovery on track

The trio were absent from the squad that will travel to Singapore for the Asia Trophy next week as they work their way back from the injuries that prematurely ended their 2014-15 season but the manager is happy that they are on track to be ready for around the start of the new season which kicks off in a month's time.
Oviedo and Gibson are both healing from metatarsal fractures while Baines is undergoing rehabilitation following surgery in April to correct a long-standing ankle problem.
The England international might not make the 2015-16 kick-off against Watford on 8th August but Martinez says he will be "there or there abouts" for the beginning of the campaign.
“All three players are coming on really strong in relation to their respective rehabilitation programmes,” the manager told evertonfc.com.
“Although they won't be taking part in the games at the Barclays Asia Trophy, they could be back playing a part with the team even sooner than anticipated.
“Leighton is well ahead of where we expected him to be at this point and all three will be there or thereabouts for the start of the season.”
Reader Comments (20)
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2 Posted 07/07/2015 at 18:47:39
3 Posted 07/07/2015 at 18:58:09
Oviedo, as much as I like him as a player, has also become dogged by injuries since the leg break 18 months ago; itÂs hard to see him sustaining the levels he had before the injuries set in.
4 Posted 07/07/2015 at 19:22:16
"GibsonÂs next injury has also been scheduled for the match following his return."
5 Posted 07/07/2015 at 20:19:06
6 Posted 07/07/2015 at 21:11:27
7 Posted 07/07/2015 at 21:38:57
He played sporadically at Man Utd when he was fully fit, FFS. Oviedo was injured with us and that was unfortunate but Gibson was injured at United and that is why he was dumped by them. How many more crocks are we going to give jobs to? Saha was another crock and so is Kone.
We need and deserve a squad of players who are fit at the start of the season otherwise they should not be numbered on the first team squad list and certainly not considered for contract extensions until they have played at least five consecutive matches.
We should be re-titled Everton Infirmary.
8 Posted 07/07/2015 at 22:12:33
Now unless the leg break has meant he has suddenly developed brittle bone disease, the metatarsal thingy can only be put down to bad luck.... it happens.
I think it is very premature to say he is injury prone and start writing him off, which is becoming a more frequent occurrence herein. ItÂs not yet time to put him in the padded cell with Gibbo!
9 Posted 08/07/2015 at 08:12:24
10 Posted 08/07/2015 at 11:34:14
12 Posted 08/07/2015 at 11:54:42
Oviedo... I feel sorry for the kid but that bad break has done for his career, I’m afraid...
13 Posted 08/07/2015 at 12:07:42
I reserve the words "injury-prone" to the players that keep on having muscular issues.
Hammys continuing to snap, thighs seizing or knees exploding, that sort of thing.
Bones breaking is not a fitness issue, itÂs a luck issue.
14 Posted 08/07/2015 at 18:55:08
GibsonÂs a different matter altogether - a bad signing by Moyes - virtually all Man Utd fans were laughing their socks off when we took him from them; he had a very bad injury/availability record with them and has continued like that here. Needs to be moved on asap – certainly shouldnÂt be given an extension on his contract. Much better to give a young player a chance to be in the squad.
This club cannot afford to continue signing injury-prone players – they are simply a waste of a salary and a source of frustration to fans (and probably other squad members too).
15 Posted 08/07/2015 at 20:09:41
I certainly am not writing Oviedo off. I am merely stating that it is a big season for him to prove his fitness after his terrible leg break. I think most fans would agree that Gibson will never be fit on a regular basis but I have my fingers crossed for Oviedo. I think theyÂre both genuine lads as well.
16 Posted 09/07/2015 at 03:09:42
Easy solution would be to move on Kone, Oviedo and Pienaar, allow Gibson a pay-as-you-play deal or his contract to run down (providing he hasnÂt quite signed his 2-year deal).
We could also throw Hibbert into that and save something like 𧶀k a week in wages (㾶M a year). Just a thought.
17 Posted 09/07/2015 at 07:36:29
I also think Kone may surprise a few doubters this season. IÂd love to think Gibson will play a significant role too, as when fit, is an excellent player. but he really is injury prone. But you never know, maybe if he retires from international footy, he could improve his chances of maintaining some level of fitness. I for one am hoping he does. ThatÂs all I have as an Evertonian, hope!
18 Posted 09/07/2015 at 08:18:22
19 Posted 09/07/2015 at 08:23:28
Maybe a young ٤M player with potential and a 4-year, 㿀k-a-week contract.
22 Posted 09/07/2015 at 19:53:38
Kone got into double figures in a relegated side before joining us. He then had a horrible injury. At 32, if fit, he could still be a useful player for a year or two.
ItÂs difficult for me to argue a case for Gibson but, when he has been on the pitch, heÂs looked a classy player. I just hope, and given the fact he has a contract extension, Roberto and Co obviously have some hope for him too.
But yes, I take your point on getting a younger, less injury-prone player in instead. I just hope we donÂt lose McCarthy to the spuds or anyone else for that matter.
23 Posted 10/07/2015 at 00:11:39
Oviedo was looking awesome before his leg break and would have been my first choice for left-sided midfielder over Pienaar. That many young players are available now around the world almost begging for a career in the EPL.
For the money I'm talking about saving, we could have brought in Besic and Del Boy plus had change. If we were a much richer club, I'd be more inclined to show players more loyalty but we're in a cut throat industry and for me we're in rapid decline.
We have a load of old injury-prone players, an old ground creating limited income, plus a pretty measly deals with Kitbag, Umbro and Chang. We have to claw back finances from somewhere.
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1 Posted 07/07/2015 at 18:19:18