Everton key trio fit for City game

Everton manager Ronald Koeman confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Romelu Lukaku and Phil Jagielka, who had both picked up knocks during international duty, were fit to play today. Leighton Baines has also recovered from his hamstring ailment and is ready to return.

Darron Gibson is fit again after his groin surgery and should be on the bench. Koeman did express his displeasure at the Republic of Ireland’s treatment of James McCarthy. The midfielder played in both of the Irish team’s World Cup qualilfiers, despite having no match fitness after groin surgery of his own followed by five weeks on the sidelines.

Aaron Lennon and Muhamed Besic remain out for the Blues, as do youngsters Tyias Browning and Matthew Pennington.

For Manchester City, their key trio of Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne should all be fit to play, but with an important Champions League fixture against Barcelona looming, manager Pep Guardiola could choose to rest one or more.

While Guardiola has said that the weekend fixture is highest priority and he is not looking beyond Everton, it would be unrealistic to think that he doesn’t already have an eye on Wednesday’s European game.

Club captain Vincent Kompany and midfielder Fabian Delph face late fitness tests, while Bacary Sagna remains out with a hamstring issue.