Oviedo and Kone set for more eleven-a-side workouts

Lyndon Lloyd , 28 October, 40comments | Jump to most recent

Everton are lining up more behind-closed-doors games to allow Bryan Oviedo and Arouna Kone to work on sharpening up their fitness.

The duo continue to feel their way back from serious, long-term injuries and while Oviedo has featured in a substitute in a couple of senior matches recently, his return has been eased back as Roberto Martinez and the club's medical staff try and bring him on gently following his double leg break in January.

Kone, meanwhile, hasn't played in a year following surgery on his knee. He was named among the substitutes for the Capital One Cup defeat at Swansea but admitted last month to still feeling pain in the injured knee.

“Bryan is doing really well and sometimes you have to stop him a little bit because he is so enthusiastic," Martinez told evertonfc.com.

“We will build him up and make sure that he has a couple of games behind closed doors before he can be seen as fully fit and can fight for his place.

“But we see Bryan being able to participate with his international team in the next international break, that's how well he has been doing.

“Arouna is in the same boat as Bryan but the only thing with him is that we are being careful we don't overload him with work.

“It was a severe injury and now we need to make sure that slowly he plays in 11-a-side games, because I think that he is going to be an important player for us in the second half of the season.”

Reader Comments (40)

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Paul Hewitt
1 Posted 28/10/2014 at 19:50:21

Never known a player be out for so long in Kone. I will be very surprised if he ever plays for us again. Pity really... a good player and goalscorer.

Sam Hoare
2 Posted 28/10/2014 at 19:52:31

Look forward to having Bryan back in the next few weeks. WonÂ’t be holding out for Kone but if he can get back then would be a bonus.

Pablo Connelly
3 Posted 28/10/2014 at 20:04:44

Just trying to think whoÂ’s place they could take on the bench? Given his performances before his injury I was say Roberto needs to find a place for Oviedo in the matchday squad when fully fit, possibly Hibberts. However there is no place even on the bench for Kone for me, we have much better options even with Mirallas out. Maybe McGeady or Atsu could make way but not likley.

Colin Glassar
4 Posted 28/10/2014 at 20:33:59

I think Kone would injure himself playing FIFA14 on his Xbox.

Kieran Riding
5 Posted 28/10/2014 at 20:44:43

Colin, IÂ’d love to post what I was told about Kone's fitness, but it would turn into a TW debate which no one would win.

(As for Fifa, I beat my 10-year-old earlier using Everton, whilst he was Barca. Went to pennos, and Osman converted the winner for me.)

Brian Hennessy
6 Posted 28/10/2014 at 20:42:39

"It was a severe injury and now we need to make sure that slowly he plays in 11-a-side games"

Why on earth was he named weeks ago on the bench for the Swansea game then, unless I missed something and the Capital One Cup is now a five-a-side competition.

Something tells me were not getting the full picture here, me thinks he is being prepared for a January medical if we can get someone to give us a few quid for him.

Hope I am wrong...

Colin Glassar
7 Posted 28/10/2014 at 20:51:02

Go on, tell us Kieran.

Kieran Riding
8 Posted 28/10/2014 at 20:54:53

Colin, Ossie went for power and kept it low mate.

Colin Glassar
9 Posted 28/10/2014 at 21:09:43

I hope you didnÂ’t lean on your lad too hard, Kieran.

I expect to see Oviedo long before Kone appears. I know he has become a bit of a running joke but I do hope he recovers and can help us with a few goals this season.

Kieran Riding
10 Posted 28/10/2014 at 21:17:19

If we can get Kone even the slightest bit fit, and sell him / give him away, then IÂ’d take that all day long.

Tony Byrne
11 Posted 28/10/2014 at 21:23:32

Kieran come on??? Just a snippet!

Tony Abrahams
12 Posted 28/10/2014 at 21:48:10

Looks like you were not impressed by what you heared about Kone, Kieran?

John Malone
13 Posted 28/10/2014 at 21:51:49

I would really love Kone to comeback and make a full recovery and return to full fitness. I really liked the look of him at Wigan he was fast, strong a good target man and scored goals.

The cynic in me says heÂ’s finished... and if heÂ’s not, he wonÂ’t be as good as he was but the Roberto factor has got me thinking he could return and have a big part to play for us.

Harold Matthews
14 Posted 28/10/2014 at 22:11:44

I rate both these lads and both will be needed. A couple of seasons ago, two of our leading players pointed out that the legs start to get tired and heavy around the 25-game mark.

Bielsa squads are a perfect example of this. History shows that his all-action, high-intensity teams only last six months. (Euro Report.)

Mark Andersson
15 Posted 28/10/2014 at 22:26:52

January seems along way off, for a player who has been out for a year. Is there some kind of clause in the insurance thatÂ’s said the injury has to have ex amount of time to heal before we pay out?

Peter Laing
16 Posted 28/10/2014 at 22:52:54

The evidence to date would suggest that Kone must be finished. To be still feeling pain nearly a year after reconstructive knee ligament surgery would indicate that he is suffering from the effects of scar tissue. I hope that Bill has been paying the Axa insurance policy as something tells me that he will be squealing for his ٤ million quid back.

Patrick Murphy
17 Posted 28/10/2014 at 23:09:15

Harold - I agree with your verdict, but would argue that Everton are hardly playing all-action high-intensity matches at the moment. There is or will be a lot more stress on the muscles for moving the ball around but not on those muscles that are needed for chasing and harrying. I'm not an expert on the muscle groups required, but It probably explains why we are so 'slow' in getting the ball forward and that may well be down to the manager's philosophy.

Mark Taylor
18 Posted 28/10/2014 at 23:47:29

I think we will have Mirallas back long before we have Kone. I agree with the other posters that his injury looks to be career ending and it now about the insurance. Such a shame.

I hope Bryan gets a game with Costa Rica. He is another whose return has been long mooted, but seems to be interminably delayed. I recall a photo back in July showing him heading a ball and claiming he would soon return.

Are we just over cautious? Are we mismanaging the recovery? Or are we being a bit misleading about the real position?

Harold Matthews
19 Posted 29/10/2014 at 04:41:17

Patrick. It was Ossie and Jags who suggested the legs get tired and heavy around the 25 game mark and I don't think they were referring to high intensity stuff. Okay, Ossies legs are pretty worn out these days but two or three years ago he covered more ground than any other member of the squad. Something Moyes mentioned on more than one occasion.

As an ex-midfield player, Martinez will be aware of burn-out and his mind is probably already fixed on March, April and May.

We fans may not see Everton as a high intensity outfit but pundits and rivals definitely think we are. The slow build-up from the back is gradually getting quicker and when Pienaar combines with Baines we don't hang about. We're also good at making things difficult for the opposition.

Many teams are feeling the pressure of the Europa League. Two games in a few days including the catch-up fixture on the Sunday is not easy. The likes of Gibson, Oviedo, Atsu and Kone will get plenty of game-time as the season goes on and it should be very interesting.

Steve Cotton
20 Posted 29/10/2014 at 08:38:47

Ossie gets tired around the 25-minute mark!!

Mike Childs
21 Posted 29/10/2014 at 11:52:17

It's a shame about Kone but fortunately at the moment would he really get any playing time? Romo needs as many minutes as possible to hone his skills. Naisy is playing his socks off... and Eto'o Â– who doesn't want to see him play more?

Bryan on the other hand is needed asap. His cameo showed some real promise on the wing. His passing while not exactly being the finished product certainly showed creativity and the shot made De Gea reach into his bag of tricks.

Harold Matthews
22 Posted 29/10/2014 at 12:51:00

Mike. You're thinking here and now. Martinez is thinking March, April, May.

Tony J Williams
23 Posted 29/10/2014 at 13:03:46

"Colin, Ossie went for power and kept it low mate."

Brilliant

Phil Walling
24 Posted 29/10/2014 at 13:14:12

Ironic that so many people see Europe as the true reward for success but then use it as an excuse for players' burn-out and loss of form. Managers always preface their extenuation with 'not using Thursday's game as the reason for tiredness BUT.....'. Speccies are the same but it's usually given as a reason for signing another dozen or so players !

That's why 'seventh' is a cosy place to finish!

Mike Allison
25 Posted 29/10/2014 at 13:28:42

Why aren't they playing in Under-21 games if they need 11-a-side time? That's what the over age player rule is for.

Alan McMillan
26 Posted 29/10/2014 at 13:31:01

Oviedo had some pins removed from his leg recently; this is bound to have set him back slightly. It's important to remember that he suffered a severe double leg break only 9 months ago and it's better to be safe than sorry.

As for Kone, I can only sympathize with him; risking his long term health by playing when it's clearly still causing him pain means he is, more than likely, set for the knacker's yard.

Phil Walling
27 Posted 29/10/2014 at 13:37:14

Yes, Alan, Kone was an astute signing for whom Martinez was making excuses before he'd ever kicked a ball for us in competitive football. But we must wish him well in his recovery, its a sad way to end a career.

Tony J Williams
28 Posted 29/10/2014 at 13:59:13

Phil, it's not actually Martinez's or Kone's fault he got injured, you know?

I think he is finished but it's a little rich having a go at him about it.

I don't feel too sorry for him, as he is now a millionaire and will never have to work again if he doesn't want to.

Tom Bowers
29 Posted 29/10/2014 at 14:21:12

It is good news for both players; whilst Oviedo has a future, it would seem obvious to say Kone doesn't. It's been a long road for Kone and at his age, it's extremely doubtful he will play much of a part with the Blues.

I may have missed something but what became of the one goal wonder, Traore??

Linda Morrison
30 Posted 29/10/2014 at 17:07:01

I don't think Kone's career is in doubt due to his age. The injury was horrendous and it seems the surgery has not fully worked.
It's a shame but I hope he has long term pay out insurance for himself.

As for Baby Bryan, he'll be flying back in the teams soon but in what place?

Baines is back to his best.

Phil Walling
31 Posted 29/10/2014 at 17:33:57

Tony, I appreciate that nobody gets injured on purpose but Kone had 'a dodgy record' of injuries and 'unavailability' long before he joined Wigan. Almost as soon as Everton's USA tour commenced in summer 2013, Martinez was talking of fasting issues relating to the player.

The serious injury happened after just a few competitive games and there were suggestions then that he might not have been fully fit to start with.

I don't wish ill of any Everton player but I suspect that Kone will go down as 'an unfortunate signing'. All managers have them.

Brian Waring
32 Posted 29/10/2014 at 18:03:06

"Had a dodgy record of injuries" How do you work that out Phil? He had no major injuries at Wigan, and before Wigan, he contracted Malaria before the start of the 2007 season whilst with PSV. He had a cruciate knee ligament injury in his left leg, and he underwent surgery to repair the damage, that was in 2008 whilst at Sevilla.

Phil Walling
33 Posted 29/10/2014 at 18:36:25

Precisely!

Gerry Quinn
34 Posted 29/10/2014 at 19:08:16

Obviously the goalie dived too late to "blow" Ossie off the penalty spot before he thrashed it in, eh, Kieran?

Kieran Riding
35 Posted 29/10/2014 at 19:17:08

Gerry, it wouldn't have even gone to pennos if Alcaraz wasn't so bloody slow! Don't get me started.

Gerry Quinn
36 Posted 29/10/2014 at 19:22:49

You ARE started, Kieran Â– obviously the trials and tribulations of being an Evertonian. Alcaraz should have learnt from "I shift faster than anyone else" Jagielka!

Kieran Riding
37 Posted 29/10/2014 at 19:25:48

Haha, I was using the '80s Hafnia kit and everything Gerry. What I'd have given for Kev the Rat marking Suarez, Eh!

Sam Hoare
38 Posted 29/10/2014 at 19:29:29

Kieran, when did you get your lad started on FIFA? My daughter is almost 2. I'm thinking give her the controller in a few months time. I'll probably win easily at first but hopefully she'll provide more challenge after a few weeks' practise.

Kieran Riding
39 Posted 29/10/2014 at 19:33:12

I'm not one for parenting advice, Sam, but show her no mercy, mate. I run the clock down in the corners and everything here.

Eddie Dunn
40 Posted 30/10/2014 at 09:50:26

Kieran, you have to tell us about Kone.

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