Thursday, 24th April, 2014
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has revealed that Phil Jagielka will not be rushed back into action because of injury to fellow centre-back Sylvain Distin.
The Toffees skipper has been out of action since picking up an injury against Chelsea in February.
And with Distin also sustaining an injury against Manchester United on Sunday, Everton have just two recognised centre-backs for their upcoming Premier League game against Southampton on Saturday.
However, Martinez insisted that Jagielka will not be rushed back for the game against the Saints as the manager explained that the England international is slated to make his return versus Manchester City on 3rd May.
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"Phil Jagielka has got his own programme and it is important that we follow that and we don't rush him back”, the Spaniard told his club’s official site.
"He has been involved with the first team training now and that is a really good sign. We want Phil back as quick as we can but not because we have got an injury with Sylvain.
"We aren't going to rush and do the wrong things in his individual programme.
"Phil is going to be fully fit very soon and I do expect that he will probably be able to make the squad against Manchester City and that's always been the plan. I do believe that we will be able to reach that."
Jagielka, who joined Everton from Sheffield United in 2007, has amassed 243 appearances in all competitions for the Merseyside club, scoring nine times.
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