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Martinez looks ahead to Stoke challenge

Pre-match presser at Finch Farm

Roberto Martinez entertained a wide range of questions from reporters in the lead up to Saturday's game against Stoke City at Finch Farm this morning.

Inevitably, the first question concerned the absence of Leighton Baines following the metatarsal injury he sustained in last weekend's derby but Martinez was pragmatic about the situation. He acknowledged Baines' status as one of the finest left backs in the world game but said that injuries and suspensions will happen during the season and you have to deal with them.

"Obviously, it's a little early to tell how long Leighton will be out... with this kind of injury," the Spaniard told reporters. "But I'm excited to see how we can deal with the injury because a measure of how a team can be successful is how well you can cope with these moments."

Though Bryan Oviedo or Sylvain Distin are obvious candidates to deputise for Baines at left back, Martinez agreed that Gareth Barry can also fill in there as he did for much of the second half against Liverpool.

"Gareth's experience allows you to play him in different and positions and different roles depending on what's needed for the side," the manager said. "Obviously we have Tony HIbbert who is a full back who can play on both flanks, John Stones can do that job as well, and Bryan Oviedo has been working really, really well the options are there and it all depends on how the players are performing in training."

Martinez confirmed, though, that Antolin Alcaraz is finally fit following pre-season niggle, hernia surgery and then a hamstring strain, injuries that have prevented him from making his first competitive start for Everton since his summer arrival on a free transfer.

"He is ready now," Martinez said, although he was cautious about his involvement this weekend against Stoke, suggesting instead that he will be important over the Christmas period. "It's a busy period," he said, "and we're going to need everyone so Antolin needs to be ready. What I'm not going to do is push him too early after the long spell that he had to endure on the sidelines."

We had a closed-door friendly and he came through that really well," Martinez said. "Now he's just measuring his match fitness... more than anything, he needs the time to pick up the pace of the League."

Though his squad has been hit by long-term injuries to Arouna Koné and Darron Gibson as well as Baines' recent fracture, Martinez dismissed suggestions that he will need to make urgent additions when the January transfer window opens.

"We want to add to the squad if a player with the right and character becomes available but it's not a real need. "What's important is that after the transfer window in January we are again stronger than when the window opened."

On the topic of the speculation linking Nikica Jelavic with a move away to West Ham, Martinez said that he is not surprised because the Croatian is a proven goalscorer but he insisted that it was important that he stays at Goodison.

The manager's immediate focus, of course, is on this weekend's meeting with the Potters, a challenge that he believes will be a very different to the unique one posed by the Merseyside derby.

"We need to carry on adding points and trying to get wins. Stoke are unbeaten now for five games so this is probably their best moment of the season. They're a team who can hurt you in many different ways so we're not taking Stoke lightly and we know it'll be a real tough challenge. But we're playing at home and we're really looking forward to it.

"I think Stoke are starting to show that they are very good at what they're trying to do. Mark Hughes is a very experienced manager at this level. He has kept things from what was good about them last season and that makes them a strong side. I don't think they've lost anything; they're trying to add things, be a bit more expansive and control games a bit more.

Roberto also discussed giving Hibbert a new contract, a player who, like Leon Osman, he would like to see stay at the club as long as he can given the experience and mentorship he can offer to the squad.

Quotes or other material sourced from EvertonFC.com

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