Everton manager Roberto Martinez has revealed that Romelu Lukaku's World Cup exertions may lead to him missing their Premier League opener.
Lukaku joined Everton from Chelsea in a club-record £28m deal after spending last season on loan with the Toffees, scoring 16 goals and helping the Merseysiders to a fifth-place finish.
The Belgium international may have to watch his new side's game at Leicester City from the stands, however, with Martinez wary of risking the 21-year-old after a busy summer.
"When you have players coming back from the World Cup you have to decide if you want the players straight away or do you give them a bit of time to refresh and be ready to play for 10 months?" Martinez is quoted as saying by Sportal.
"It will only be Kevin Mirallas and Rom who might not start the season. For Romelu, it will depend on how he adapts to work from now until August 16.
"There is a degree of risk if you put them into a situation so early. They've been training really well and are accumulating a lot of work."
Martinez recently revealed that he still intends to add new players to his squad before the transfer window closes.
Phil Archbold
