James McCarthy: The midfielder will be available for the Merseyside derby

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has dismissed talk of James McCarthy suffering another injury setback and stressed he expects the midfielder to be available for Saturday's Merseyside derby.

Reports had suggested McCarthy, who has only played twice since November due to his hamstring issue and last featured in late December, had aggravated the problem in training, ruling him out of this weekend's game.

Roberto Martinez confirms James McCarthy has returned to match fitness Roberto Martinez confirms James McCarthy has returned to match fitness

But Martinez said the hamstring problem had not been exacerbated.

"No, he hasn't suffered a setback," Martinez said. "He was in hospital yesterday having a scan to make sure he is fully recovered and the scan showed he is perfectly healed.

"Now it is just a matter of adapting him into the match intensity, and I expect James to be available for the squad at the weekend, so it is terrific news in that respect."

Asked about the prospect of the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international having to change his playing style to avoid long-term problems, Martinez said: "Never. Your playing style is very much what you are, and that is one of the real strengths of James' play.

"He is a very young man still, but he is a sprinter who plays in midfield and his tissues need to be well looked after.

"It has been a frustrating time in this campaign, because he is a very important player for us, but I can see that the injury is well behind him now - we had reassurance yesterday and we look forward to seeing him back to his very best and finishing the season really strongly."

Martinez added that goalkeeper Tim Howard, who has been out of action since Boxing Day due to a calf injury, is also nearing a return.

"We are going to assess him over the next two or three days but the medical advice is to give him another seven days before he is on a football pitch, so we will keep that in mind."

Watch Everton take on Liverpool from Goodison Park live on Sky Sports 2 from 5.00pm this Saturday