Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Stones “should be ready” to face Manchester United


Stones has missed the last two Premier League fixtures and his country's final two Euro2016 qualifiers with a knee injury but the Blues' manager reports that the defender has been training well over the international break.
He is expected to be in contention for a starting berth when United come to Goodison for the resumption of the domestic league programme this weekend.
“I think he should be ready," Martinez told evertontv today. "Remember that John has been having a lot of quality work at Finch Farm and it will be a matter of just getting that match fitness.
“We have still got very three important days ahead of that fixture in terms of preparation so we’ll get a better idea on Friday of where John is.
“I would say medically he is ready now. He’s been joining the group and from a medical point of view I don’t think there is a concern or worry.”
Stones will likely be joined by Seamus Coleman who made his own return from injury in the Republic of Ireland's 2-1 defeat in Poland on Sunday. It was the first action the fullback has seen since Everton's win over Chelsea a month ago in which he damaged a hamstring.
Coleman played the full 90 minutes for his country and should be in the side on Saturday to resume first-team duties from his deputy, Tyias Browning.
Martinez also provided updates on the rest of his longer-term absentees, saying Tom Cleverley and Leighton Baines have rejoined first team training which is an indication that they are in the final stages of their recoveries.
Baines told the Liverpool Echo last week that he is now training three times a day in a bid to regain fitness as quickly as possible following a second operation on his troublesome ankle in August. The England international hasn't played any competitive games since April but he too has been deputised well by a blossoming young player in the form of Brendan Galloway.
Steven Pienaar, Muhamed Besic and Tony Hibbert are also progressing with their respective rehabilitations and Martinez said that he expects to have all three back in training by the international break next month.
Reader Comments (43)
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2 Posted 14/10/2015 at 18:11:18
I agree but have to say I'm not sorry about it. I wonder how many Man Utd games aren't televised throughout the season? Must be very few. Must be because it's us!
3 Posted 14/10/2015 at 18:32:15
I'm a bit worried Rooney will not be the same after his warm reception from the Goodison faithfull, so I hope Stones is ready to return, as good as Funes Mori has been.
4 Posted 14/10/2015 at 19:15:15
I think that to date we've probably been on TV more than anyone else.
5 Posted 14/10/2015 at 19:21:54
The first goal against WBA was the fault of Howard by throwing the ball into a dangerous area. As was the red shite goal, by not coming for the cross into the 6-yard box.
Give Stones a bit longer... and Coleman if needed
6 Posted 14/10/2015 at 19:38:32
7 Posted 14/10/2015 at 19:44:37
Anyway, I can't usually handle the pressure and cut out at half-time, record it, and watch later!! I'm sure this Saturday will be more of the same.
And I'm only 36... ten more years and I'll probably drop dead screaming at us down 2-1 second half against the upstart, newly promoted Aldershot Town! How do you Scousers do it for an entire lifetime!?
Great news on Stones and Coleman. How many have we won at home versus the Red Devils now? Three straight I believe. That is the only reason that I am feeling a draw: 2-2.
8 Posted 14/10/2015 at 20:23:51
9 Posted 14/10/2015 at 20:46:30
Surely Mirallas should be back in the squad as well? He has been an important player against them in the past, let's not forget.
10 Posted 14/10/2015 at 21:13:39
Mirallas has always done well against Man Utd, and surely he'll feel like he has a point to prove to RM.
11 Posted 14/10/2015 at 22:30:13
Galloway, outstanding as he is, doesn't provide that width on a consistent basis. Therefore Martinez can afford to be a bit less conservative.
12 Posted 14/10/2015 at 00:55:57
This has been a problem for quite some time now. The athletic Stones and McCarthy carefully guard the right and allow Coleman to venture forward but Jags and Barry tend to stay central. Without Distin and Pienaar, Baines couldn't budge and all the subsequent left backs have landed in the same boat. Martinez is well aware of this.
Funes Mori made a difference but is still finding his feet and it was interesting to hear Mo Besic saying that he was being trained for the Number 6 role which has always been left midfield.
All-in-all, with the amount of money laid out we have decent quality on the pitch and on the bench. Howard splits opinions and I won't bother going there. Martinez knows the situation and it's up to him.
How we'll do against Man Utd is anyone's guess. I hope MotM is a toss up between Howard and Lukaku.
13 Posted 15/10/2015 at 01:40:43
14 Posted 15/10/2015 at 02:43:39
Second half, Barkley barnstormer 2-1. Then Funes Mori fouls Martial – red card. Funes Mori does a Materazzi and flips out. Howard then drops a few crosses, Man Utd hit cross bar. More boos.
Then quick break Kone to Rom 2-2. Few nervy minutes, couple of last ditch Jag tackles. Game over.
15 Posted 15/10/2015 at 03:41:07
16 Posted 15/10/2015 at 03:45:27
Martinez seems to have forgotten how we played against Southampton. If we are not up for United then I think fans are going to start turning pretty quickly against Martinez again.
I have not forgotten last season, and neither have the fans.
17 Posted 15/10/2015 at 05:25:59
18 Posted 15/10/2015 at 06:19:36
The hardest job RM will have come Saturday, will be picking a starting 11. It's a "problem" that we haven't had too often.
I really like the way things are shaping up!
19 Posted 15/10/2015 at 08:08:25
But I don't get to go to games, so y'know....
20 Posted 15/10/2015 at 08:32:01
Wise words. For sure, all EPL teams are aware of our weakness down the left and for me Martinez looked at Cleverley to fill this hole. When both boys are back to match fitness, I believe we will see Baines and Cleverley running the left side.
No question, Galloway has more than compensated for the loss of Baines, so much so, that he has probably put Garbutt into 3rd place for the LB slot.
21 Posted 15/10/2015 at 08:41:01
When he's passed the ball by the left full-back, he can naturally receive the ball on his stronger foot, and also pass to the left-back with his stronger foot.
Personally, I think given the way we play across the back from left to right and right to left, having left- or right-footed centre-halves is irrelevant.
22 Posted 15/10/2015 at 09:16:13
Don't get me wrong, Stones is world class but the new lad Funes Mori has slotted in incredibly well alongside Jags.
23 Posted 15/10/2015 at 09:57:05
I totally agree with you – it's not an issue. I don't know why some people worry about it. It's not like he's getting to the byline and struggling to swing in crosses.
24 Posted 15/10/2015 at 10:27:13
25 Posted 15/10/2015 at 10:35:37
26 Posted 15/10/2015 at 10:47:58
I think Harold is correct about Jagielka being better value on the right. Most right-footed defenders will not only trap and pass the ball with their right foot but will also tackle with their right foot.
In my view, a full-back's primary role is to show the winger the touchline then tackle or block a cross. It is easier to tackle or block with your favoured foot. This is why Baines plays at left back.
When the full-back bombs forward, the centre-half's job is to cover him therefore it is preferable for his favoured foot to be the same as the full-back's.
As Harold points out, Baines knew that in Distin he had someone who would cover his back adequately and perhaps why the Baines - Pienaar partnership was so successful.
This is, according to my understanding of the game, a "square pegs in square holes" issue. Left-footed players playing on the left flank bring balance to a team. That is why they are so highly sought after.
I could never understand why David Moyes played Lescott at left-back and Heitinga and Jagielka as centre-halves. I always thought we looked safer when Lescott played centre-half.
I will be interested to see what happens when John Stones is fully fit because he it would seem is an automatic choice and Martinez will be faced with, because of Funes Mori, a similar situation as Moyes was with the Heitinga, Jagielka, Lescott conundrum.
It is a good problem to have.
27 Posted 15/10/2015 at 10:55:56
Assuming he is fit, Stones must return. He is one of our big players and an automatic choice. As Funes Mori will still be recovering from his long flight home, he will be on the bench at the most.
I doubt Deulofeu will start this one. Mirallas could start in one of the wide positions, preferably on the left, with Kone or Naismith to support Lukaku from the other side.
The return of Seamus will give us the additional dimension in attack we lacked against the RS.
28 Posted 15/10/2015 at 11:16:41
12-13: 1-0.
13-14: 2-0.
14-15: 3-0.
15-16: ?-?
29 Posted 15/10/2015 at 11:32:25
I wonder with this will RM look to maybe sell Stones in the January window and use the £40 million to improve in other areas? Hopefully we wont sell Stones and just increase competition for places, because if we are serious about challenging for a top 4 place we will need Stones to stay.
31 Posted 15/10/2015 at 12:40:14
@24: I like your thinking and think you are right. I have a feeling Mirallas might start this one on the left-hand side. Naismith won't like it but he is better from the bench.
32 Posted 15/10/2015 at 13:17:23
I agree with your points. Now, without using emotive terms like "we are / aren’t a selling club", we would all agree that every player has a price... Ronaldo, Suarez, HIbbert et al. Why, though, should we even be talking about sums in the region of 㿔 million for John Stones?
If Abramovich or his opposite number at Real Madrid, or wherever are serious then let’s take them to the cleaners. The lad is on a contract to play for us, but, if he expresses a desire to leave then slap a reserve price of at least 㿞 million on him.. let potential suitors get into an auction.
For once, let us turn the screw!
35 Posted 15/10/2015 at 15:13:30
But I've read today that Martinez is gonna keep an eye on Funes Mori and is concerned about him after all the air miles he's put in. Sorry, but if you was going to be worried about a player travelling so far to South America and wherever, why sign him? Why not go for a European player? Funnily enough, when Stones was injured, Martinez wasn't worried about Funes Mori the last time he came back from international duty.
If you ask me, I think Martinez is looking for an excuse to throw Stones straight back in and to be fair most would as he's a top player, but Funes Mori has played well and deserves to keep his place for now. There is no need to rush Stones back.
Over the next month, the squad is gonna start to look seriously healthy, especially if the players can stay fit! I really do hope Pienaar can stay fit for a sustained period when he does come back as he can add something to the team down our left. It looks like Martinez doesn't want to use genuine width down the left and is using the likes of Kone, Naisy & Cleverley there. Don't get me wrong, all three at certain times have done well there but if we're not going to play someone like Mirallas or Deulofeu there, a genuine winger, then Pienaar as we know is the best player for that position and will improve our play in the final third further!
36 Posted 15/10/2015 at 15:34:57
37 Posted 15/10/2015 at 15:57:09
If Stones is fit, he plays.
You play your strongest team — it's a simple as that.
38 Posted 15/10/2015 at 16:01:58
John Stones will get better and that is a scary thought. We need Stones's athleticism in this one to take care of Martial while Jags looks after the prodigal son.
I would definitely start Mirallas in this one to give him a confidence boost and test his will to reestablish himself although I don't think Martinez likes him as much as we do.
We need to go out guns blazing like Arsenal and not do our typical snails-pace first half and pick it up second half.
At least the crowd will be up for this one as Fortress Goodison starts to reestablish itself.
39 Posted 15/10/2015 at 16:27:39
40 Posted 15/10/2015 at 16:37:19
Let's see how the media react to that one (hopefully).
41 Posted 15/10/2015 at 17:41:11
42 Posted 15/10/2015 at 20:17:29
The same goes for Coleman; you have to play your best eleven. COYB
43 Posted 15/10/2015 at 21:30:53
44 Posted 15/10/2015 at 21:32:27
45 Posted 16/10/2015 at 13:49:31
46 Posted 16/10/2015 at 14:57:58
And Jay, you talk about this "love in" for Funes Mori and tbh, the lad as done well and shown some early promise but in the same sentence you say we need to put Stones in ahead of him but don't get the instant love in with Funes Mori and say we need to give him a run of games and then judge?! How's that possible then when you want him dropped for Stones?!
I'm not saying for one minute that Funes Mori is better than Stones, but whilst the lad as been out, Funes Mori as stepped up to the plate and looks more than capable and personally I'd be happy to see the lad continue until Stones is 100% right. If he is, then great, start him, but listening to Martinez in his presser yesterday, I'm not sure he is fit enough to start. So why not hold him back and start him midweek.
As for Coleman it's a different kettle of fish as he got 90 mins under his belt with Ireland through the week and came through with no issues so he should come in for Browning, even though he's done well.
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1 Posted 14/10/2015 at 17:54:54
Can't believe the match isn't been televised??