Everton's Leighton Baines fit for new season
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed Leighton Baines will be fit for the start of the season after ankle surgery.
The 30-year-old left-back had the operation in May and missed the club’s last two matches of the season as well as England’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland and the European qualifier in Slovenia.
He has not been included in the Everton squad for the pre-season tour in the Far East - they take on Stoke City in the first match of the Asia Trophy on Wednesday - but Martinez is confident he will be available for the season's opening league game against Watford on August 8.
Martinez told Sky Sports News HQ: "Leighton is well ahead of where we expected him to be. I expect him to be able to start the campaign fully fit. I think the first week in August is a realistic target for Leighton and I would say the same for Brian Oviedo. Both have been progressing really well and I do expect Leighton to be fully fit for the start of the campaign.