Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Irish duo back in training
28 Comments 
James McCarthy is nearing fitness after his aborted comeback last month
The pair have resumed full training but are unlikely to be considered for Sunday's clash with Swansea City, with Roberto Martinez pencilling them in for the all-important return to the Etihad Stadium.
McCarthy has been sidelined since an abortive return to action against Stoke City last month where he aggravated a groin problem that he first picked up in the draw at Bournemouth in late November.
Coleman, meanwhile, hobbled out of the first leg against City with a calf injury but his manager is hopeful he will be ready by next Wednesday.
Martinez has been buoyed further by the fact that Bryan Oviedo should be fine for this weekend after receiving the all clear on his ankle. The Costa Rican was stretchered off as a precaution at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the 3-3 draw with Chelsea after taking a kick to the same leg he fractured two years ago at Stevenage but suffered no damage.
"It was more of a strong kick to the leg in the same area he had the fracture and a nerve reacted and Bryan got the sensation and the feeling that he felt the worst," Martinez told evertonfc.com.
"It ... could have caused problems [but] the body and the leg reacted really well."
Finally, Tom Cleverley, who was also substituted against Stoke and then again against City in the cup because of a calf strain of his own, should also be back for the visit of the Swans this weekend.
Reader Comments (28)
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2 Posted 19/01/2016 at 07:26:50
4 Posted 19/01/2016 at 07:41:10
5 Posted 19/01/2016 at 08:11:25
6 Posted 19/01/2016 at 08:26:06
7 Posted 19/01/2016 at 09:05:13
McCarthy, much like Coleman in my opinion, has dropped off in the last 12-18 months; he was outstanding in Martinez's first season but there's always been something more from James McCarthy that we never quite get. He has the ability to burst more from midfield, as seen against Manchester United last April, but doesn't do it anywhere near enough.
8 Posted 19/01/2016 at 09:11:22
9 Posted 19/01/2016 at 09:17:25
That was probably another factor in the Sam Byram saga ..... "Coleman is injured at the moment Sam, and as soon as he's fit he will be straight back into the first team, but sign for us because we want 'competition for places' right through our phenomenal squad...... Sam??? Sam!!! Come back!!!!! We were in a moment!"
10 Posted 19/01/2016 at 09:22:13
11 Posted 19/01/2016 at 09:30:42
Maybe stick with Stones. Give the Stones, Funes Mori, Jags, Baines combination a decent run together against Swansea for them to gel as a unit.
Robles
Stones, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Baines
Besic, Barry
Lennon, Barkley, Mirallas
Lukaku
A decent performance against the Swans and Mirallas will make the left wing place his.
COYB!
12 Posted 19/01/2016 at 09:37:43
13 Posted 19/01/2016 at 09:42:25
14 Posted 19/01/2016 at 09:44:56
Stones has had a few knocks recently, and his form has dipped.
15 Posted 19/01/2016 at 09:49:31
16 Posted 19/01/2016 at 11:03:47
17 Posted 19/01/2016 at 11:15:51
18 Posted 19/01/2016 at 11:39:53
19 Posted 19/01/2016 at 11:58:19
Coleman really needs the competition, it now appears it won't be Byram, so no one to keep him on his toes!
I still find it hard to believe that Byram will start for West Ham, but hey not our problem, we've got a couple of big games coming up, so only interested in our players & with Wembley beckoning, the motivation next week to keep a lead (2-1 first leg), doesn't get any bigger at this moment in time!
I think the Swansea game can give us such an impetus toward the semi's, providing we win of course, by doing it in style & with a few goals to spare too no doubt! Three points & a cup final please lads.....NO pressure COYB!!
20 Posted 19/01/2016 at 12:00:20
21 Posted 19/01/2016 at 12:54:05
My reasoning: to call Barry, Besic and McCarthy holding players is disingenuous; they are good footballers who cover acres of ground each match and most importantly they can tackle. They would cover the fullbacks when the fullbacks attack and they would make up for the defensive inadequacies of Barkley and Deulofeu.
23 Posted 19/01/2016 at 14:44:03
Besic is better, stay with him!
24 Posted 19/01/2016 at 15:18:16
Besic offers similar cover when defending and more going forward. He and Barry have established a good understanding over the past several matches and tinkering with that now especially for such an important match is unthinkable (yet I know Bobby will do his best to prove me wrong).
25 Posted 19/01/2016 at 15:41:59
26 Posted 19/01/2016 at 15:55:00
27 Posted 19/01/2016 at 18:01:17
Man City only need one goal and they're through; if we sit back and try to see the game out, we'll lose.
Robles, Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines.
Besic, Barry,
Miralas, Barkley, Lukaku.
And one from Deulofeu or Lennon. McCarthy or Jagielka to shore us up later in the game. Kone and Deulofeu or Lennon if were losing.
28 Posted 19/01/2016 at 20:05:30
30 Posted 20/01/2016 at 11:37:44
Jags is the best defender in the Premier League.
31 Posted 20/01/2016 at 15:35:40
I am not yet convinced of the McCarthy/Besic combination, though would like to see it trialed in a few matches – just not the Citeh match
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1 Posted 19/01/2016 at 06:50:46