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Everton's Baines set to return against Manchester City

Leighton Baines was not risked by Roberto Martinez in Everton's FA Cup draw with West Ham © Getty Images

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Everton left-back Leighton Baines has a chance of recovering from injury in time for Saturday's Premier League match against Manchester City, manager Roberto Martinez says.

But fellow defender Sylvain Distin is a doubt after picking up a groin problem during Tuesday's FA Cup third-round tie against West Ham. Baines, 30, sat out the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park with a knock sustained in the 2-0 defeat at Hull on New Year's Day.

Martinez said: I don't expect Leighton to be out for more than than two or three days. It would have been a huge, huge risk for Leighton to play against West Ham, because he had a knock against Hull.

"I hope he can be fit for the weekend. He wanted to play, but I hope now that he can be fit for the weekend." Distin, 37, is more of a doubt for the City game, though. He was forced off against West Ham, and replaced by John Stones with 19 minutes left.

Martinez said: "Sylvain has picked up a groin injury. He will be assessed to see how he is."

And Martinez believes Romelu Lukaku's injury-time equaliser against West Ham could prove a turning point in Everton's troubled season.

Everton were heading out of the FA Cup until Lukaku's volley earned them a replay at Upton Park and ended their four-game losing run.

Martinez said: "It would have been an horrendous setback. It would have been very damaging. The reaction I saw from the players was a big moment in this part of our campaign.

"When you get into that wrong dynamic when everything that can goes wrong, you can feel sorry for yourself. I don't think the players accepted that. It felt like a win going into the dressing room. Many people would say you don't want an extra game. We embrace it. To still be involved in the cup is a real positive.

"It is a bit of a snowball reaction when you get good results, you get confidence and get better. The attitude of the players was very pleasing to try and break down West Ham.

"The way we finished the last 15 minutes was very adventurous, full of energy and very much like ourselves. It would have been a crime if we had been out of the cup."

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