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Lukaku to make Everton return

Roberto Martinez confirms Romelu Lukaku will return to Everton's starting XI for Wednesday's Premier League trip to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

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Romelu Lukaku will return to Everton's starting XI for Wednesday's Premier League clash with Manchester City.

The Belgium striker missed the weekend win over Dagenham and Redbridge in the FA Cup due to an ankle injury sustained against City in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final last Wednesday.

But the former Chelsea man, who has scored 19 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions this season, has been passed fit to start at the Etihad Stadium.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez told a news conference on Tuesday: "Rom trained really well yesterday so he's 100 per cent to be available.

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"He feels really well from the knock he had on his ankle and the rehab has gone according to plan so he's very much clear to play."

Martinez does have other fitness concerns to address, however, with Tom Cleverley rated a 50-50 shot while Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy remain sidelined.

"We will assess Tom today, he had some general work yesterday with the medical department and it's a bit early to know if he's going to be available," said Martinez. "We don't expect it to be too long.

"Seamus Coleman, as we anticipated, is going to be out for the next 10 to 15 days.

"James has been training well, he completed a very good session yesterday. He is up to individual work before he can join the group so he's on the right path but it's too early to give a deadline."

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With the sides meeting again so soon after their cup clash, the second leg of which takes place in a fortnight, Martinez accepts there will be no surprises on Wednesday.

"What doesn't change is the way we are as teams. Two teams wanting to score goals," he said.

"It will make for an open, technical game. We know what we expect, that familiarity won't play any other part."

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