Forgotten Everton full-back Cuco Martina is closing in on a return from a long-term knee injury and could still land a move away from the club in January. Curacao international Martina spent last season out on loan at both Stoke and Feyenoord and he looked set to seal a permanent move away from Goodison Park during the summer after he was told by Everton boss Marco Silva that he was surplus to requirements.
However, the 30-year-old sustained a serious knee injury in training which scuppered his chances of securing a transfer and, although he did not require surgery on the problem, he is only now returning to full fitness.
Martina will be hoping to feature for Everton’s under-23s over the coming weeks, as he will need to get some game-time under his belt if he is to put himself in the shop window ahead of the opening of the January transfer window.
The former Southampton star has not been involved in the first-team picture at Goodison Park since May 2018 when he was an unused substitute during a 3-1 defeat to West Ham in the Premier League.
The full-back is out of contract this summer and, if he does not receive a suitable offer during the January transfer window, he could opt to remain on Merseyside until his deal expires.
Toffees team-mate Oumar Niasse is currently adopting a similar approach, as he is also out of contract at the end of the season, but is keeping himself match fit by featuring in Everton’s last two under-23s games.
Niasse has not been involved in a matchday squad for Everton’s first-team this season, while he spent the second-half of last term on loan at Cardiff, where he failed to score in 13 appearances as they were ultimately relegated from the Premier League.
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