• Premier League

Martinez confirms Baines injury

Leighton Baines could face up to six weeks on the sidelines © PA Photos

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Roberto Martinez insists that Everton will be able to cope after suggesting that Leighton Baines could be out until the New Year with a fractured toe.

Manager Martinez has indicated that the England left-back could be out for anything between 10 days and six weeks after suffering the injury.

Baines was caught by Jordan Henderson during the first half of Saturday's 3-3 Premier League draw against Liverpool at Goodison Park.

The 28-year-old tried to play on with the problem, before being replaced in the 50th minute by Gerard Deulofeu.

Midfielder Gareth Barry slotted in at left-back after Baines went off, while Martinez says that several other defenders in his squad can take over the role.

"It has been confirmed that Leighton has got a fracture in one of the bones in his right foot, which is the phalange," Martinez told the club's official website.

"We need to treat that now and see how it develops. It could mean anything from missing six weeks to being back in 10 days because it depends how the fracture heals.

"It is in such a specific spot and we are going to see how it reacts. Obviously Gareth slotted in during the game and when you have got a player with that experience, he can play anywhere. I thought he did really well.

"We have got other players at the football club who can play in that position, from Bryan Oviedo to Tony Hibbert and Sylvain Distin to John Stones. We have got many, many options.

"It's going to be a matter of seeing how the players react in training and, first of all, seeing if Leighton is going to be OK."

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