Baines has remained on the sidelines after breaking his toe during the Merseyside derby, and initial thoughts were that he could be out until next year, but the Everton left-back is hopeful he could make an appearance before the end of the month.
‘Obviously the schedule thickens up around Christmas and New Year so you like to think you would be back and available to help the team at that point, but it’s just one of those things. You have to wait and see.”
This is also welcomed news for Roy Hodgson as Ashley Cole has also been left out of Chelsea’s squad through injury, and it is still uncertain who the England boss will use as a first choice left-back. Meanwhile, Everton are unbeaten with baines sidelined and left-back replacement Oviedo scored in Everton’s 1-0 win over Manchester United.
But with 4 games in 10 days, the Toffees will have a very busy Christmas and New Year and will be very keen to have Baines back in the squad. He admits he is raring to return to the team: “I’ve not been able to do a lot to treat it [the toe] because it’s a break, so I’ve just sort of tried to see how it heals really and take it a day at a time,” he added.
“It’s been pretty dull because you can’t do a lot. There isn’t that much treatment so it’s just been a case of coming in and doing little bits of work in the gym and just hoping it recovers.”
By Phil Wellbrook
