Soccer

Darron Gibson injury not a concern for Everton

Roberto Martinez expects Ireland midfielder to train and be available for Swansea game

Republic of Ireland and Everton midfielder Darron Gibson (right) not sidelined by knee knock. Photograph: Donall Farmer / Inpho
Republic of Ireland and Everton midfielder Darron Gibson (right) not sidelined by knee knock. Photograph: Donall Farmer / Inpho
Thu Oct 30 2014 - 13:38

Concern over the fitness of Everton and Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson was allayed by Toffees boss Roberto Martinez today.

The Spaniard confirmed the Derry man took a knock to his knee in training yesterday but said he should be available for Saturday’s game against Swansea.

“Darron did pick up a knock in training on Wednesday,” said Martinez today. “But I don’t think it is any concern.

“We will assess it. But I expect him to train so I don’t think it is anything to worry about.”

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The news will come as a relief to Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill, who yesterday named Gibson in his squad to face Scotland and the USA next month, while still unsure of the midfielder’s condition.

With Glenn Whelan a major doubt for the Euro 2016 qualifier against the Scots in Glasgow on November 14th after fracturing his leg in the draw with Germany in Gelsenkirchen earlier this month, O'Neill could ill-afford another casualty in central midfield.

The manager is also without attacking midfielder Wes Hoolahan, who sustained ankle ligament damage with Norwich recently.

Ninth-placed Everton go into the clash against sixth-placed Swansea with their season starting to come together after a shaky start to the campaign, and their veteran frontman Samuel Eto’o is in fine form.

The Toffees have lost just one of their last six games in all competitions, and last weekend’s 3-1 win at Burnley made it back-to-back top-flight victories for the first time this term.

Eto’o scored twice in that match, has netted three times in his last four appearances and has a tally of four goals in total since joining the Merseysiders over the summer.

Fellow striker Romelu Lukaku — also a scorer against Burnley, and with four goals this season — has spoken of feeling “blessed” to be working with the 33-year-old Cameroonian.

And Martinez said of Eto’o: “To have Samuel at our football club is like a gift from the footballing gods. It is important we give him the right amount of playing time.

“But Samuel’s performance on Sunday, and every role he has had so far, has been of a real high standard and I’m really excited to see how well he can adapt in the second half of the season.

“His experience and know-how have already been very important — in Europe, for example. But with the finishes against Burnley, it looked like the old good times of Samuel Eto’o.”