Jagielka a major doubt for Arsenal tie

, 4 March, 0comments  |  Jump to most recent
Roberto Martinez says that Phil Jagielka is unlikely to feature in Saturday's FA Cup clash with Arsenal but he will assess his fitness before the game before making a final decision.

The England defender, who missed last Saturday's win over West Ham, is remaining at Finch Farm this week after being forced to withdraw from his country's friendly with Denmark tomorrow evening and he will use the time to nurse his injured hamstring.

While he has shown great powers of recovery from a similar problem already this season, Jagielka is rated as highly doubtful for the weekend. Nevertheless, his manager will give him every chance to overcome the injury.

"From a medical point of view, he should be missing the game against Arsenal — I was probably looking more at the Cardiff game (on 15th March)," Martinez said.

"But knowing him and how he's reacted to this similar injury that he's had in the past, he could heal a lot quicker. With Phil, you can never rule him out. [W]e're going to give him as much time as he needs to make a final decision.

"In a way it's good that he's behind-the-scenes here at Finch Farm and he hasn't got the game with the national team.

"That could give him a small percentage [chance] to be fit for the weekend. We'll see how this week unfolds and make a final decision closer to the game."

John Stones deputised for the Blues' Captain against the Hammers last Saturday, turning in another accomplished display that belied his teenage years, and he would be in the frame with Antolin Alcaraz for the tie at The Emirates on which rides a place at Wembley in the FA Cup Semi-Finals.

Quotes sourced from EvertonFC.com





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