Everton midfielder Ross Barkley battling to be fit for game against Arsenal

Ross Barkley (centre) in action for Everton against Fulham last weekend

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley will be given maximum time to prove his fitness ahead of Sunday's vital Premier League clash with Arsenal.

The 20-year-old suffered a calf injury in the 3-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage last weekend and was replaced at half-time.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has confirmed club staff are monitoring the situation ahead of a match that could define the team's season.

If Everton beat the Gunners they would move one point behind their fourth place opponents with a game in hand.

And Martinez is hopeful the England international will be fit for the match as the team pursue a Champions League place for next season.

"He is such a powerful boy that he coped with that knock well but obviously it was a problem straight after when the body gets cold," Martinez said.

"He's such a quick healer and a young man so we hope he is going to recover in time for the game on Sunday.

"Over the next three or four days we will have a clearer idea of where he is and we are going to treat every day as it comes."

Everton are also taking a cautious approach with England defender Phil Jagielka, who has missed the last six matches with a hamstring problem.

"It's important that with the amount of games we will be experiencing that we look after Phil and make sure he is allowed to build a good degree of match fitness," Martinez added.