Thursday, 30th January, 2014
Everton are still not fully sure of the extent of Romelu Lukaku's ankle injury, but Roberto Martinez is confident he will be back to lead the Toffees season-ending sprint.
Lukaku is feared as being out for the rest of the season, though Martinez had previously insisted his recovery would need weeks rather than months.
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The Belgian was stretchered off in the Merseyside derby and remains a huge point of concern at Goodison Park.
However, Martinez hopes the next few days will confirm his suspicions that the forward may yet prove crucial to Everton's top four hopes.
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"We were all expecting the worst", Martinez today told a press conference broadcast. "But we had very good news in that respect.
"We need to see how he recovers over the next few days, then we'll know the extent of the injury.
"The structure of the ankle is fine; we've got no ligament damage. But he's got a really strong knock and the bone is badly bruised.
"But it's not a matter of months. It's going to be resolved in a few weeks.
"Romelu will be back well before the final seven-eight games of the season."
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