Everton boss David Moyes is asking for caution from fans as key players Mikel Arteta and Aiyegbeni Yakubu return to fitness.
Midfielder Arteta is now back in light training after an operation to repair damaged knee ligaments, while striker Yakubu has been involved in a couple of reserve matches as he battles back from an Achilles injury.
Moyes says of Arteta's progress: "Mikel is doing well and there's a chance that he can join in full training with the other boys in maybe a week or two. But he, too, will need reserve games before we can call on him in the first team."
Yakubu is closer to a serious comeback, having had 15 minutes of Europa League action against Sigma Olomouc last week.
But he was withdrawn at half-time from a reserve outing this week, and Moyes says: "Yak has been out for nine months and he will have to get a lot of training and a lot of football under his belt before we feel he's ready to start Premier League matches again.
"I hope fans will be patient with him and Mikel. Yak played for the reserves again but felt his hip and his back tighten up so we had to take him off."
Comment 1 - 3 of 3
I agree that Arteta and Yacubu need to come back slowly to avoid a possible further long term lay off. We have certainly missed them, together with Jagielka, and I hope that in the intervening period our squad will return to more confident play and start winning on a consistent basis.
its fine being patient but no good if your fighting to stay up come the end of the season i have holes in my shins litterally from footy injuries but did that stop me playing the next week no! and UN-PAID.Come on stop being lame and get your shirts on if your training you can run and if you can run your fit enough.c.o.y.blues............
it will be good to see
mikel and the yak back in the team
good luck to you make sure you are
both fit
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