Everton´s Stones in fitness race to face West Brom

The Merseyside outfit have grabbed just two victories and lost once, but they have been restricted to draws three times so far in the Premier League this season.

He told reporters: “The performances of Southampton away and Chelsea at home have shown what this squad can achieve”.

“Now it’s about continuity and consistency”. Our levels of performances have been better than our points return.

Martinez has not yet ruled Stones out but insists he will not gamble on the player’s fitness at this early stage of the season.

“He came back after a very good summer in which he was able to switch off from football and I think all the lessons we had as a team in Europe (last season) in particular Ross, as an individual, made him a better player”.

The all-round ability of the side has already come to the fore with six different goalscorers and Martinez welcomes the additional contribution from the rest of the side which takes some of the responsibility off record signing Romelu Lukaku.

“Internally we are getting quite strong in terms of the way we play and the understanding we have of each other”.

One of the bigger spotlights will be Lukaku, though, and not only because he will be returning to the ground where he first burst onto the scene in England. Ultimately, Lennon’s defensive discipline may get him the nod but Evertonian minds will be preoccupied with the fact that, facing a Pulis team, the need for creativity to break down a well-organised defence is going to be important.

“To have different goalscorers gives you more of a threat as it harder for the opposition to stop”.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has addressed the media ahead of their trip to West Brom in the Premier League on Monday night.

“But he is focused on the next game and he is narrowing his aims and objectives into achievable goals so in that respect I have no worries about Ross”. There are no easy games; but exciting times ahead.