Defensive duo could return in time for Stevenage game

Everton duo Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka could return from injury in time for the Toffees’ FA Cup match with Stevenage.

While full-back Leighton Baines is expected to be fit enough to face Norwich City this weekend in the Premier League, the defensive pair of Distin and Jagielka, both out with hamstring injuries, could be sidelined for a further two weeks according to Everton boss Roberto Martinez.

Martinez told Sky Sports: “Leighton Baines was just a back spasm and he is recovering as we expected so I don’t think he’s going to be too far from being able to train.

“Sylvain and Phil Jagielka both have got probably a period of between seven and 10 days, but I would say two weeks is the most realistic time.

“But they are players who recover really well from these sorts of soft tissue injuries. They are not major problems.”