Everton boss Roberto Martinez believes that Romelu Lukaku's month-long injury layoff proved to be a blessing in disguise.

The Belgium international marked his return to first-team duties with an 81st-minute winner in the 1-0 victory over West Ham United at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday.

The 20-year-old had been out of action since January with an ankle problem, but Martinez claims that the absence provided Lukaku with the chance to re-charge his batteries for the remainder of the season.

"Romelu is somebody we've missed for a long time and he pops up with a clinical touch," he told the club's official website.

"It is important to have him back now. You don't want to lose players through injury, but I think in a strange way it is what he needed.

"I felt in January that he was starting to feel tired and suffering from the demands of this league, but now he is refreshed for the last 10 weeks of the season and desperate to help the team."

Lukaku, who is on a season-long loan from Chelsea, has scored 10 goals in 22 appearances for the Toffees so far.