Friday 31 July 2015 13:23, UK
Muhamed Besic has been ruled out of Everton’s opening Premier League game of the season against Watford.
The Bosnian suffered a hamstring injury during Everton's first pre-season game of the summer against Swindon Town, and is expected to miss another two weeks.
Despite the setback, manager Roberto Martinez is pleased with Besic’s progress and remains optimistic the 22-year-old will be available for the trip to Southampton on August 15.
Martinez told evertontv: “Mo picked up the injury against Swindon and is recovering really, really well.
“He is a player with a lot of power and a player who I expect to be fit just after the start of the campaign. I think he will miss the opening game but after that he will be close to a return.”
Additionally, Martinez revealed Aiden McGeady, who has been struggling with his own hamstring issue, should be ready to return before the end of August and also provided updates on the fitness of Darron Gibson and Tony Hibbert.
Martinez said: “Aiden was carrying the little hamstring problem that affected him from the international game and he’s been carrying that niggle for a while. He has had a good week while we’ve been in Scotland and he’s getting to the root of the problem.
Aidan had a good week while we were in Scotland and he’s getting to the root of the problem.
“We are quite confident that in the next two to three weeks he will show a good reaction to the treatment he’s been having.
“Those players, plus Darron Gibson have progressed well and I think they will be there or thereabouts by the end of August. Tony picked up a little bit of a knock against Arsenal in the Asia Trophy.
“He has been assessed and he’s developing well. He will be out a little bit longer, I think we will have a better idea once the start of the season gets under way - probably Tony will be out for a few weeks still.”
