Wednesday 9 September 2015 16:25, UK
Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori could make his Premier League debut against Chelsea this Saturday.
Manager Roberto Martinez will turn to the £9.5m summer signing from River Plate if Brendan Galloway and Bryan Ovideo fail to recover in time for the Goodison Park clash.
Costa Rica international Ovideo was forced to pull out of a recent friendly against Uruguay with a knee injury while Galloway suffered a similar problem against Manchester City last month.
Funes Mori returns to Merseyside on Thursday after representing Argentina against Mexico in the United States and Martinez will check on his well-being before finalising his line-up.
Speaking to the club's website, he said: "I think Brendan is progressing well and should be available, in the same way that Ramiro Funes Mori could become available.
"With Bryan, it's difficult. I don't know if the weekend is too early or not. We'll find out over the next 48 hours.
"With Funes Mori, he is someone that has played in that position before. Being a left-footed defender, he has played in those positions.
"The way I see Ramiro, he is able to play in any of those positions when he is needed, so in that respect it is about assessing how he feels.
"It's a long journey coming back on Thursday morning and we'll assess that from a physical point of view."
Winger Aaron Lennon is also set to feature in the Everton squad to face Chelsea.
The 28-year-old's last match was for the Toffees on May 16 at the end of his loan spell but having rejoined from Tottenham permanently on deadline day for a fee of £4.5m he is keen to get started.
"I'm not worried about his physical state and he needs to play games now to sharpen up his play," said Martinez on Lennon.
"He's refreshed and is in a great position. He knows the football club inside out and is desperate to get back to Goodison.
"From that point of view, I expect Aaron to be involved one way or another at the weekend."
Lennon, who scored two goals in 14 appearances on loan, is confident he can hit the ground running.
"I haven't played pre-season games but I've trained a lot and I feel really good," he told evertonfc.tv.
"I'm in good condition so once I get the game time in I don't see why I won't be straight up to speed."
