NAYSMITH A DOUBT

Everton face potential problems at left-back for Sunday's trip to Wigan.

Everton face potential problems at left-back for Sunday's trip to Wigan.

Gary Naysmith is a doubt after picking up a groin strain in training, while Nuno Valente is also battling for fitness after sustaining a knee injury in the FA Cup defeat to Blackburn.

Possible deputies for the position include Joleon Lescott and Phil Neville, while Sandro Pistone resumed training earlier this month.

The Toffees do welcome back Mikel Arteta for only their second ever trip to the JJB Stadium.

The influential midfielder was suspended for the 1-1 draw against Reading next weekend.

His return means manager David Moyes is able to field the Spaniard alongside Tim Cahill and Andy Johnson for the first time since November.

Arteta is likely to replace either James McFadden or Andy van der Meyde in the Toffees midfield.

Everton: Howard, Wright, Neville, Hibbert, Pistone, Yobo, Lescott, Stubbs, Valente, Naysmith, Osman, Arteta, Cahill, Carsley, Davies, van der Meyde, McFadden, Johnson, Vaughan, Beattie, Anichebe.