Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Ross Barkley is ready to lift the injury gloom that has descended on Everton with a dramatic return in tonight’s Anfield derby.

was the latest in a long line of problems that sees the Blues face perhaps their most important game of the season without SIX first team stars.

And most crucially for boss Roberto Martinez, he may be forced to enter a game billed as a top four shoot out with a completely makeshift backline.

Phil Jagileka was also injured in the weekend’s FA Cup tie,

, it means he will be forced into a complete reshuffle, with John Heitinga set for once last appearance before he leaves Goodison.

While that offers a major headache, at least the Blues boss has some good news over young star Barkley, who has not played since fracturing his toe in the FA Cup third round win over QPR.

And Martinez will give him until the last minute to prove he is fit - even if it means playing with an injection.

“He might have an injection because the injury will allow that, but what we can’t afford is to lose him for a longer period,” he explained.

“So it is a possibility he could have an injection but it’s a blessing not losing him for a longer period. It is a possibility.

“I could take a measured gamble knowing some players will be back in a few days, like Gerard Delofeu, who will be back on February 1.”

Martinez is convinced that whatever scratch team he is forced to field at Anfield tonight, his side will still believe they can win...particularly with Liverpool suffering similar horrendous injury problems.

And he reckons the reaction to the terrible adversity Oviedo endured at the weekend shows they have the mental strength to cope.

“I have never seen a moment like that - the captain holding his leg, the 19-year-old holding his head, James McCarthy supporting and Steven Naismith telling him he came through similar,” he explained.

“Bryan himself was telling everyone ‘forget about me just win the game’. That strength and mentality allowed the team to refocus.

“We have incredible values as a group, as good as you get, and those emotions are genuine. It tells me this group is ready to achieve something special this season.”

A win at Anfield would be something special for Everton, given they haven’t done that since 1999.

But Martinez is confident his side now have cast out their demons after the similarly history making victory at Old Trafford this season.

“The most important aspect from a psychological point of view is that as a group we’ve been to Old Trafford, after 21 years without a win, and we were able to get one,” he added.

“More importantly, it was how we got it, as it was well deserved. Then we went to the Emirates and were able to be ourselves.

“So I think psychologically we are now ready to show the work that we've done over the last seven months in every game that we go into. That~s going to be vital.”