Barkley 'really close' to return

3 months for a medial ligament?

We could really use another striking option and surely, if he's been back in training since Swansea, he must be getting close at least....

I expect to see at least Coleman and hopefully McCarthy back for the Villa.

In terms of defence I would prefer to see Disitn start with Jags and if he can't do the full 90 minutes put Browning on.

We just need a bit of good luck and I can see the team really taking off.

Kone is 31 and has more or less not played any football for 18 months.

Do you really think thats gonna be any kind of option, I am afraid we wont see much of that man and it was probably 6 mil down the drain.

Linda #3 - "Learn the lesson Roberto of waiting until players are fully match fit before playing them."

Can you not see what's wrong with that sentence?

I will try and pick him out on Saturday no doubt wearing a red and white striped jumper and matching touque!

Still, can't wait for Ross to return when it's right. We've missed him so badly.

COYB!

As long as we have Coleman and McCarthy at least back for the Villa game, I'll be a bit more relaxed. With Coleman and Mirallas out, we have no attack on the right so getting one back is a boost. Pienaar would also be a boost but not sure if he'll make it for Villa given how he broke down after coming back last time.

Tough team to call in AM – the back 5 and two DMs pick themselves but up front is a lottery. Eto'o should start if Lukaku's not 100% as well as Naismith on form. Remaining 2 any out of Besic, Osman, Oviedo, McGeady or Atsu. Would like to see Oviedo for his enthusiasm but not sure he has 90 mins in him. Can see RM going for Osman and McGeady but would be disappointed if both start. Ossie doesn't have 90 mins in him and McGeady's been unconvincing so far. If it were me it would be Oviedo and McGeady, with McGeady off at HT if he's having a crap game. He's at least got more pace than Osman.

Whatever team RM puts out we need the 3 points badly to get a bit of a run going. 1-0 off someones backside or an OG would do me just fine.

I am really interested as to who is on the bench as that will indicate the players fit enough to have a part. I would hope that Kone is on the bench along with EtoÂ’o if we start with Lukaku.

Barkley canÂ’t come back soon enough!

I would think after all this time Kone may be a write-off after taking so long to get fit again. Remember how many times Saha was ready and wasnÂ’t. ItÂ’s much harder for forwards over 30 to overcome injuries. Still, it would be nice to get some contribution from Kone if possible.

Either way, your knowledge could be invaluable to the club.

And no more painkilling injections please – let the body heal properly and recover in time or you risk aggravating the injury or making it more susceptible to damage in the future.

We might see Barkley back for the Burnley game, methinks.

If any ToffeeWebbers sit in Upper Bullens – give me a wave. I will be the guy seated in L82 taking 'selfies' (I know) at half-time!

I was interested to hear Martinez's recent comment that we started badly at the back and that's just continued somehow psychologically. It's an insight into how he thinks and worries me slightly – though I support him fully.

I think quite a few people are concerned about Ross coming back too quickly in light of Robbie's comments about Rom playing through an injury. It is slightly baffling why he can't be properly rested and Naismith or Eto'o deputise in his absence. A fully fit and firing Rom is a handful for any defence in the Premier League or Europe.

COYB tomorrow! Three points please.

We need points, hopefully we will start tomorrow.

There's no way he'll be on the pitch tomorrow, unless RM is truly mad.

I could go on but I suspect you don't really know.

If we're being honest about agendas, here's how I see it. You don't rate the manager so you're calling him about things you don't really know. Or mine – I think that's what you're doing hence the irritated reaction.

The context was no-one was asking about Barkley as no-one was expecting him to be fit just yet – remember he was supposed to be out until at least November.

But Martinez announced without being asked that Ross was 'close'... And the agenda was set.

I don't know whether he is ready – obviously, because I don't work at the club. My argument was less about his return, more about your pop at Martinez, or more to the point the whole tenor and tone of it. Utterly cynical which grates on me.

Questioning and criticism are clearly not only fine, they're interesting and useful. Cynicism on the other hand is really ugly and boring. If I've misjudged then apologies, but that's what my reaction was about.

All managers string along the media for their own ends.