Season › 2013-14 › News

Traore on the comeback trail

Lacina Traore's hopes of figuring for Everton again this season have been boosted by the news that he is ahead of expectations on his road to recovery from a hamstring tear.

The 23 year-old Ivorian was set to make only his second appearance for the Blues in the Premier League game at Chelsea last month but suffered the injury in the warmup and had to be withdrawn from the team.

Subsequent medical examinations, including by specialists in London and Paris, fully ascertained the extent of the tear and he has now concluded the first part of his rehabilitation.

"He is progressing really well and the signs are very good that we will see Lacina in an Everton shirt this season," Roberto Martinez is quoted as saying.

"He has had the first part of the treatment and his recovery is quicker than we expected, so we are very pleased."

Traore joined the Blues in January loan from Monaco carrying a slight hamstring strain in his other leg and has played just 60 minutes for the club, although he marked that one appearance with a goal against Swansea City in the FA Cup.

Martinez believes the 6' 8" forward could be fit to feature in the final games of the season which will hopefully give him enough information to decide whether or not to try and extend the loan into next season.

There was good news for Gareth Barry, meanwhile, who escaped lasting damage from an awful tackle by Kevin Theophile-Catherine in Saturday's win over Cardiff City.

The 33 year-old midfielder was caught on the shin by his opponent's late challenge towards the end of the first half but managed to finish the match having just sustained bruising and stud marks to his leg.

Barry is expected to be fit for the visit of Swansea City this weekend but there is no news yet as to whether Phil Jagielka or Steven Pienaar will recover in time. Both players missed the Cardiff game through injury.

 

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