Baines scores in friendly win

Hopefully he is fit to start against Villa. I am looking forward to that beautiful left foot doing some damage to the opposition.

I expect he'll go straight in our starting XI which is tough on Galloway, but at least there's good competition at left back, including Bryan & Garbutt.

Longer term, it's difficult to see him playing anywhere else in the team... except maybe a holding midfield spot.

It amazes me how idiots like Kenny Samson (as recently as today) feel it's okay to talk Baines down. Do people not realise that Baines was in the top few chances created in Europe's top divisions for 3 seasons on the bounce.

Imagine Shaw done it once, people would never hear the end of it, Baines did it consistently for seasons before his injury misfortune.

Brendan Galloway has been terrific all season (he struggled vs Moses at weekend, mind you), and he is a brilliant prospect. If we can loan him out in January so as to keep him playing first team football at the top level, this will be fantastic. But Baines coming back majorly strengthens our team without any doubt.

Great news.

I think Anthony #5 was (quite rightly) rubbishing popular misconceptions about who's the best left back in England. Shaw's considered up there but Baines is in a different league and doesn't get the recognition

I hope a 'pre Man U speculation' Baines returns and Martinez helps our offensive full backs rather than plays a system that hinders them

A top quality Baines is an awesome awesome player and we'll miss him when he eventually finishes

I'm very curious to try Baines in the DMC position. He's a tremendously intelligent footballer with great distribution and energy levels.

Bit left field but I think a DMC pairing of Cleverley and Baines could potentially offer an excellent balance of creativity and intelligent covering. Pie in the sky though....

I am looking forward to having Baines back for many reasons, not least because we need more experience in our back 4 with Jags out. Not only that but we all now how many chances Baines creates.

As good as Galloway is (and he should be lauded for slotting on to the team so easily), we have missed having Baines's short passing game in the final third. For years we've taken for granted how good he is at moving the ball forward.

There are other decent English left backs like Shaw and Gibbs but are they really any better than Galloway or even Garbutt for that matter? Gibbs is very hit and miss and I've seen Shaw roasted a few times and for a young lad he doesn't have a lot of pace.

In any case, who cares? I don't need Woy, a pundit or a football journalist to tell me who is the best, I already know!

Welcome back, Bainesy.

Galloway has covered very well for Baines (his cross for Naismith which started the 3-0 rout of Chelsea should not be easily forgotten), but he is more suited to the central defensive position, which could be his for years to come at Everton (assuming he doesn't get swayed by Man Utd or the likes). My ideal team would be:

Robles
Coleman Jagielka Stones Baines
Cleverley Barkley Barry
Deulofeu Lukaku Kone

(Subs: Howard, Funes Mori, Galloway, McCarthy, Mirallas, Naismith, Lennon)

He is wasted in the England side and as harsh as it sounds, I hope that dippy old twat Woy drops him for Gibbs... we can then watch Gibbs get embarrassed by the better teams.

In defence, that is doubly important but has not been evident this season. Consequently, when the goals are conceded, too many fans are quick to blame Howard. Yes, he is to blame for one or two but generally Everton's closing down and tackling has been poor.

Baines has class but, like Howard and Jags, is getting up there in age and they all may be getting past their best but I do agree he has more to offer at this time than Galloway, who I still think will be a central defender eventually.

I'm happy with Lukaku on pens but Baines needs to pull rank and hit free kicks.

Barkley knows the score but the old brigade are gradually being phased out.

There's a little bit more here from the PNE website:

PNE Faced Strong Premier League Test At Finch Farm

Most of us are delighted he's back. Great player and a real plus for the team