Premier League: Everton midfielder Ross Barkley will resume training next week

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley will resume first-team training next week as he continues his recovery from injury.

The England international was sidelined by a knee ligament injury on the eve of the Premier League season but could be only a fortnight away from making a competitive return.

"On Monday we expect Ross, with the green light from the medical department, to join the group," said Everton manager Roberto Martinez.

"Now it's a matter of getting him match fit and getting him up to speed. Ross has been working really well and I don't expect any setbacks. I expect Ross to have a real clear path to get his match fitness back.

"One of Ross' biggest strengths is his physicality and how strong he is sometimes helps in terms of getting his match fitness.

"But he has been out for a while and we need to give him the right work now to make sure he is at his very best.

"From Monday I want him to be part of it and in probably a couple of weeks we should be able to see Ross in the squad.

"His desire and hunger to be in the team is contagious, and that is something I want to have with the group. He'll be like a fresh, new player for us."

Martinez has lost John Stones for between 10 and 14 weeks with an ankle injury, but fellow defender Sylvain Distin is set to return for the visit of Aston Villa on Saturday week after missing three matches.

Full-back Seamus Coleman, midfielder James McCarthy and forward Kevin Mirallas are also on the mend but the Villa game may come too soon for them.

Martinez added: "Sylvain needed a bit of a rest. He is fully fit, has trained really well and is ready to fight for a place in the team.

"It's too early to tell whether Coleman and McCarthy can play against Villa. We are going to assess them day by day.

"Kevin has got a typical sprinting injury. We expect him to be out for a few weeks as well. He does not need surgery, just conservative treatment. We hope to have him fully fit soon."

Midfielder Bryan Oviedo pulled out of Costa Rica's squad this week in order to have a screw removed from the leg he broke in January, but Martinez expects him to be available sooner rather than later.

"Bryan has reacted well to the procedure," he said. "In a couple of days, he will be working towards selection again."