Use your head and sign up now for the Everton FC newsletter Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Roberto Martinez revealed that Everton FC are likely to be without their first choice central defensive pairing for the next 10 to 12 days – but the Blues boss was delighted with the performances of deputies Antolin Alcaraz and John Stones at Stoke yesterday.

And in 19-year-old debutant Stones, Martinez believes he has a youngster who can become “one of the best defenders in the English game”.

Sylvain Distin joined Phil Jagielka on the injured list after injuring his hamstring against Southampton on Sunday. With Johnny Heitinga talking to West Ham about a possible move, that left a pairing who had never played together before.

Read More: Greg O'Keeffe's big match verdict

But Martinez said: “I couldn’t be happier with the partnership. I thought Antolin Alcaraz, after five months out injured, has come back and faced two of the hardest tests you’re going to get in the league – one because of the dynamic play of the Southampton strikers and then today, with the threat of the direct play into Peter Crouch and the movement around him and the physicality, but I thought Antolin was magnificent. Then you’ve got young John Stones who I think is going to be one of the best defenders in the English game.

“I was so impressed with him in pre-season when he played in our friendly against Juventus, and from that point on he has been working hard and I knew he was ready.

“I couldn’t be happier with his performance, right up to clearing the final corner which shows you he is a born leader.

“I think we’re going to see something special in John Stones’ career.

“He has played right-back many times for the Under-21s but centre-half is his natural position. John Stones has got everything to be a good, modern centre-half. He is good on the ball, is good in the air, he can read the game exceptionally well, but more importantly he has a leader inside of him and I think he will be one of the best centre-halfs in the English game.”

Stones and Alcaraz are likely to continue in Saturday’s FA Cup visit of Queens Park Rangers to Goodison, with Martinez revealing: “Sylvain felt his hamstring against Southampton and he kept playing in the second half. It was too much for him to play today but I don’t think he will be out for too long – probably 10 days, 12 days.”

But the Blues will go into the tie in good heart after salvaging a point at Stoke with Leighton Baines’ clincally converted penalty kick in time added on.

Martinez admitted he wasn’t sure if the goal was ever coming.

“With the conditions and the weather, combined with the busy Christmas period when squads are getting really stretched, I thought that whoever scored the first goal would be final,” he explained.

“When we hit the crossbar twice in the first half you feel it’s not going to be our day, and the first chance that Stoke had they scored with a good strike from outside the box.

“I don’t think we were at our best by any stretch of the imagination but what we showed was an incredible, incredible reaction once we conceded the goal.

“We forced Stoke back into their own box and what I was pleased with was we didn’t play into their hands.

“They had nine players defending the box and it would have been all to easy to become predictable.

“But we had two balls cleared off the line then we got the penalty through the magic feet of Leon Osman and it was a good reward, even though it left us felling that we dropped two points.

“But I couldn’t be happier with the way we finished the game.”

Martinez was delighted that it was Osman who won the saving penalty after his experience against Sunderland on Boxing Day.

“We need to remember that football is a game of risks and you’re going to make mistakes. It’s how you react to them and Leon Osman is one of the most reliable footballers you can have in that dressing room,” said the Blues boss. “He represents Everton and you know that when you are facing adversity you can rely on Leon.

“The way he has coped with what happened in the Christmas period is magnificent.

“I’m delighted for him. He is someone who sets standards on a daily basis and I am very very pleased he showed those magic feet in the box at the right time.”