Everton could be without their first-choice central midfield for their English League Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough, with Republic of Ireland international James McCarthy and Gareth Barry injured in the Premier League draw against Bournemouth.
McCarthy was withdrawn in the second half of Saturday's costly 3-3 draw with Eddie Howe's team and Barry played on with a shin problem that has not improved. The influential pair are major doubts for the game at The Riverside and Tom Cleverley and Darron Gibson, who have only recently returned from injuries, could deputise for Roberto Martinez's side.
Good numbers
The Everton manager confirmed: “We will have an idea on James’ injury later. He over-extended his upper hip muscle and was quite sore yesterday. We will find out more today. It is the same with Gareth Barry, who had a really nasty knock on the shin, stud marks, and found it hard to walk yesterday.
“We will assess them both before naming the squad. We have good numbers and the options are there so we will see.”
The second-choice goalkeeper Joel Robles will replace Tim Howard against Middlesbrough, as has been the case throughout the competition and following criticism of the United States' international's role in Bournemouth's 98th-minute equaliser.
“Joel was man of the match in the previous round against Norwich and will start tomorrow,” said Martinez.
“Tim has been very consistent and performing with a real influence since he came back.
“The third goal at Bournemouth was a real disappointment but as a team we should have done a lot better. The ball should never have got into that position and there are question marks about your marking when a player has a free header like that on the edge of your six -yard box.”
Everton have never won the League Cup in its various guises and last reached the semi-final stage in 2008.
Martinez said: “We’re not looking at it in terms of winning a trophy, just winning a quarter-final. Whatever momentum you have, you need to develop a winning mentality. We have not been in that situation for a long time.
“We’ve not had many League Cup quarter finals in the last few years – just two in last 30 years – but we want to carry on with the good feelings we’ve developed in this competition.”
Left-back Leighton Baines could be part of the match day squad for the first time this season after ankle surgery, but will not play from the start.
First star
t Elsewhere, David Silva could make his first start for Manchester City since October 3rd when they face Hull City in the quarter-finals tonight.
The Spanish international came off the bench against Southampton – but goalkeeper Joe Hart is expected to still be out injured.
Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala and Samir Nasri are all ruled out of this game, but Sergio Aguero says he is fit to play despite appearing to pick up a knock on Saturday during the win at the Etihad Stadium. Guardian Service
