'Street Footballer' Leandro could play for Everton against Reading

Roberto Martinez spoke to the press ahead of the Everton vs Reading FC Capital One Cup Third Round fixture tomorrow. Along with the news that the Blues would not be appealing Kevin Mirallas' harsh sending off on Saturday against Swansea City, he expounded on some of the players who will be in the traveling party to Reading tomorrow.

First though is the news that new striker Leandro Rodriguez will be in the squad and could feature in the game as well. The Uruguayan forward has impressed with two goals (goal #1 and goal #2) in his first two outings with the U-21 side.

"He is ahead of his development. I expected Leandro to take five to six months to be ready for the British game.

"I have been very impressed, not just in training but with the Under-21s as well. He has scored in both games and showed an incredible street footballer's way of playing the game, which has helped him.

"He will be involved in the squad. Then it will just be down to the needs of the game and how everything goes if we see Leandro or not.

"As we always do with our youngsters, when a young player does well, he gets rewarded and Leandro deserves to be in that squad and let's see where that takes him,"

Roberto spoke effusively about the young player, calling him a 'street footballer', which he then went on to explain -

"I think you get intelligent footballers that know how to take whatever is given to them, and I think Leandro is that type.

"He is someone that can hurt you in behind, he's got clever movement but then if he's got space in front of you he'll get on the ball and he'll combine well. He's got a good finish and he's someone that has got terrific potential.

"He's still a young man and he's someone that is well into the programme of adapting into the British game and it's still early stages but he's been impressive in everything that he has done."

The manager also mentioned a couple of other players who could be in the gameday squad -

"Darron Gibson and Leon Osman have been stepping up their fitness programmes and that is very positive news. It was a bit of a disappointing start to their season with niggles and injuries so I am excited they are joining the squad.

"Bryan Oviedo, we don't think he is ready to play a game yet but we will make a late decision on him.

"There is a chance Seamus Coleman could be fit but we are not going to know until late today [Monday]. It's important that Seamus can train with the group before he is able to play."

Mason Holgate has also picked up a knock in training but should be fit enough to be in the squad that heads to the Madejski Stadium.