Everton manager Roberto Martinez has revealed that full-back Leighton Baines could return to action against Sunderland on Boxing Day.
The England international has been on the sidelines since breaking his toe during the Merseyside derby in November.
"He is not far away," talkSPORT quotes Martinez as saying. "He trained at the beginning of the week and we are going to assess how he responds to it. I expect Leighton to be available probably, if it is not this weekend, then the week after.
"It is just measuring well that we don't rush him back too early, but I would say he is not too far away, which is a beautiful Christmas present as you can imagine.
"If he has no reaction, he will be available to play on the Boxing Day, or possibly even earlier, but it just depends on how the next two days show up in his foot."
The Toffees are preparing to take on Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.
Danielle Joynson
