Cleverley set to return against Arsenal

Ian Watson

Everton midfielder Tom Cleverley is in contention to make his first-team return at Arsenal on Saturday as Roberto Martinez’s squad nears full fitness.

Cleverley got his first run-out since sustaining an ankle injury in August when he played 60 minutes of an under-21 game on Tuesday.

And asked on Thursday whether the summer signing would play in this weekend’s Barclays Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, Toffees boss Martinez said: “It is just a case of seeing how he reacts from the game on Tuesday.

“The next two sessions are going to be very important to measure that.

“I would say, from a medical point of view, 100 per cent he will be ready, but it is just trying to guess and work on his match fitness more than anything.”

Winger Steven Pienaar – yet to feature for the first-team this term due to a hamstring problem – also played the opening half of Tuesday’s contest, while full-back Bryan Oviedo completed the entire duration as he continued to build up his fitness.

And Martinez added: “It was a very significant boost to see Steven Pienaar completing the 45 minutes, which was the plan, Tom Cleverley extend to 60 minutes and Bryan Oviedo play 90 minutes.

“It has been great to see them coming back so sharp and ready to add to the squad.

“That is very good news, and we are also seeing Leighton Baines progressing well with Muhamed Besic, Tony Hibbert and Aiden McGeady. We are very close to having a full squad.”