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Pre-season Friendlies

Jul 22, 2014 at 9.30pm UK

Tranmere Tranmere Rovers
2-2
Everton

Stockton (63'), Rowe (86')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Naismith (26'), Osman (70')

Darron Gibson to return against Tranmere Rovers

By Sian Cowper, Reporter | 21 July 2014

Everton midfielder Darron Gibson is expected to feature for the club in their pre-season friendly against Tranmere Rovers, nine months after sustaining a knee injury.

Roberto Martinez has revealed that Darron Gibson is expected to return from injury during Everton's pre-season friendly against Tranmere Rovers later this week.

The midfielder has been sidelined since picking up a knee ligament injury while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland last October.

The Toffees manager told the club's website: "Darron Gibson is fully fit and he looks a refreshed, regenerated player. He's been training in an impressive, impressive way and I would expect him to be involved with the squad.

"Arouna [Kone] and Bryan [Oviedo] are both doing well in their recoveries. Darron Gibson without a doubt will be ready [for Tranmere]. The other two, it would be an unnecessary risk at this stage.

"They are three important players who know Everton inside out, and now they're getting into a position where they want to have a big role on the pitch and they want to help the team. That's really positive because they're three players who we've missed for a long, long time."

The match is due to take place at Prenton Park tomorrow evening.