Everton given big boost as James McCarthy due to return from injury

With Everton in such a dire run of form, this is badly needed news.

The midfielder has missed 11 of Everton's last 13 games with hamstring trouble, and with Roberto Martinez's side now 8 games without a win, it's a timely boost as they bid to halt their slip down the table. In a statement released by the club this evening, they said that McCarthy is in line to return against Crystal Palace next Saturday, and the midfielder has been training fully during the club's recent training trip to Qatar this week. Roberto Martinez said: "Sylvain Distin and James McCarthy are really progressing a lot in this warm weather and that's really positive news. They have both joined the group in training and have come through really well." “I see James as being fully fit now but we will assess everybody before the Crystal Palace game. This week has allowed James to build up his fitness levels and I do expect him to be fully fit and ready for Crystal Palace.” McCarthy picked up his first hamstring injury at the end of November, returning for 70 minutes during the defeat to Stoke on St Stephen's Day, before aggravating the injury two days later against Newcastle, being forced off just after half time.