Injured trio's recovery on track

Oviedo, as much as I like him as a player, has also become dogged by injuries since the leg break 18 months ago; itÂ’s hard to see him sustaining the levels he had before the injuries set in.

"GibsonÂ’s next injury has also been scheduled for the match following his return."

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.

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. ItÂ’s not yet time to put him in the padded cell with Gibbo!

Oviedo... I feel sorry for the kid but that bad break has done for his career, I’m afraid...

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, itÂ’s a luck issue.

GibsonÂ’s 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 shouldnÂ’t 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).

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 theyÂ’re both genuine lads as well.

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 hasnÂ’t 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.

I also think Kone may surprise a few doubters this season. IÂ’d 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. ThatÂ’s all I have as an Evertonian, hope!

Maybe a young ٤M player with potential and a 4-year, 㿀k-a-week contract.

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.

ItÂ’s difficult for me to argue a case for Gibson but, when he has been on the pitch, heÂ’s 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 donÂ’t lose McCarthy to the spuds or anyone else for that matter.

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.