Roberto Martinez reveals injury concerns over Chelsea target John Stones

And while his manager moved to allay those fears by explaining it was merely a strain, Martinez did admit his centre-half will be touch and go for Monday.

In midweek, Everton progressed to the Fourth Round of the Captial One Cup after beating Reading 2-1 courtesy of goals from Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu.

Stones, 21, has been responding well to treatment but is 50/50 to be passed fit for the game at The Hawthorns, according to the Spaniard.

“We have been pleased with John’s reaction to treatment in the last couple of days but I still think the next 48 hours are very important”, said the Everton boss.

And that could see the England star sidelined for Monday’s visit to West Brom, with new signing Ramiro Funes Mori being offered an early chance to stake a claim with his full Premier League debut.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez revealed he will not gamble on the 21-year-old’ s fitness with the Merseyside derby to come next weekend.

Roberto Martínez believes Everton have shown Champions League potential this season but must deliver on a consistent basis to be considered genuine candidates for a top-four finish.

“Seamus has been working really well, training on the grass, and he could be involved in the game on Monday too or if not then the next one“.

“I think that has given a real reflection of what we can achieve”.

“The excitement is there with the group of players we have”, Martinez told reporters in today’s press conference. Our levels of performances have been probably better than the points returned. “But in general terms we’re aware of the level of competition we face and the strong, exciting challenges we have ahead”.