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LEIGHTON BAINES played in central midfield as he stepped up his comeback with 45 minutes for Everton under-21s.

The Blues defender was joined by Mo Besic, Tony Hibbert and Joel Robles in the starting 11 as Porto B were the visitors to Goodison for a Premier League International Cup fixture this afternoon.

And despite a much improved second-half performance from David Unsworth’s side, the Portuguese giants won 3-2 to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Callum Connolly and Harry Charsley scored Everton’s goal after the break as the young Blues mounted a fightback, having trailed 2-0 at the break.

But what about the senior players on show?

Baines in midfield - should we read anything into it?

Roberto Martinez believes Baines has the ability to evolve into a midfielder.

He even took him to Old Trafford to watch Philipp Lahm, the Bayern Munich captain, who has made the move look simple, when it is anything but.

Martinez used Baines in a central midfield role against Newcastle last December and in a difficult period for the Blues, he finished the game with an assist and credit for a decent display.

At Goodison today, Baines was back in midfield.

This time, he was playing for Everton’s second string as he added to his recovery from an ankle injury by playing in the first-half.

Baines showed tons of energy, he pressed well and used the ball smartly as well as reminding the watching Martinez of his set-piece quality.

He certainly did not look out of place, tucked in to the left of Besic, in a five man midfield, with Sam Byrne outside him - but was this a glimpse into the thinking of the Everton manager for when the 30-year-old is ready to return to the first-team?

Maybe.

But it could also have just been a way of ensuring Baines got some valuable minutes under his belt, whatever his position.

Watch this space.

Mo minutes for Besic

Besic has endured rotten luck this season with his hamstrings.

After pulling up in the Blues’ opening pre-season game of the summer, the 22-year-old lasted just nine minutes on his Premier League return against Chelsea before coming off.

This afternoon’s hour at Goodison was his first appearance in a Royal Blue shirt since that game, back in September.

But after 45 minutes for his country in midweek, his power hour here will have taken his recovery closer to a first-team return.

After Porto stunned Everton with two goals inside the first 11 minutes, Besic helped steady the ship.

The Bosnia international protected the ball well, offered reliable distribution and chased, harried and hounded the gifted Porto attackers.

Everton will be no doubt be approaching his comeback with caution but he came through today’s game having avoided a setback.

Hibbert's comeback was going to plan ... and then

It is closing in on a year since Tony Hibbert last played for Everton.

The veteran full-back has endured a miserable time of it since the start of the 2012-13 season, having played just 19 times.

Hopefully, Hibbert’s run-out for the U-21s against Porto will still be a significant moment in his comeback but after a positive performance (apart from conceding a penalty) the 34-year-old was forced off with five minutes remaining.

Everton will assess Hibbert, who has been suffering with a knee problem, over the next 48 hours but hope he has not suffered another setback.