Everton boss Roberto Martinez has revealed that Bryan Oviedo's double leg break back in January 2014 left the Costa Rica international at "rock bottom".

The versatile Oviedo will start for the Toffees as they take on Barnsley in the League Cup on Wednesday, and after an arduous effort to return to full fitness, Martinez has said that he is delighted to have his player back in action.

Martinez told reporters: "He's been very unfortunate. He got back to a very good level last season then he had a fracture. You just feel that sometimes as a footballer you need to hit rock bottom to look up. Bryan is desperate to be on the pitch.

"Our fans have a really strong feeling for Bryan and he feeds off that. We all know how difficult it's been for Bryan. We have also seen how hard he's been working. It's a feeling of togetherness."

The left-sided Oviedo signed for the Blues in the summer of 2012 and broke his leg in an FA Cup tie away at Stevenage.