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

Gerard Deulofeu will spend Christmas back home in Spain as Everton try to do everything they can to ensure his swift return to fitness.

The on-loan Barcelona starlet will fly back to the Catalonia region today, where he will spend the next eight days enjoying the festive season with his family before returning to Merseyside to step-up his rehabilitation.

Scans on his right leg showed that the 19-year-old suffered a grade one hamstring strain against Fulham on Saturday, the least serious category of injury to the muscle, which has boosted the Blues’ hopes of having him fit for mid to late January.

It was originally feared the winger would be absent until the final third of the season.

But Martinez was relieved the damage was not as bad as expected.

“Obviously we now need to make sure he recovers well,” he said. “We don’t think he’s going to be out for too long, probably the best part of five weeks.

“But, knowing Gerard, he’s a sprinter and we need to make sure he’s fully fit.

“Gerard is happy. Obviously he was disappointed, but we were probably a little bit fearful that it could have been a bit more than it is, so we’re pleased that it’s an injury that we know exactly what it is and that it’s not going to bring any more problems in the future.

“But we need to treat it right because those sorts of injuries cannot be under-estimated.”

Martinez added that Everton would be liaising with Barcelona over the player’s rehabilitation.

“We’re working with the two medical departments,” he said. “They’re working together because there are many things to take into consideration and it’s important they have a look as well.

“From there, we’re going to use the best possible route to treat the player.

“Gerard has got a good feeling about him and all he wants is to get back as quick as he can. I think this is going to refresh him and it’s going to make him a real impact player when he comes back, so we’re excited about that.”

The sense in the Blues camp is that a relatively short spell out of action after his high-intensity introduction to English football could actually serve Deulofeu well.

Martinez is optimistic the player will be able to return with the same dynamic, game-changing impact he has made since finding his feet, and will not break down again before the season ends.

However, they will not rush him back and must seek to ensure there is no scar tissue on the muscle which could cause him difficulties in the future when he sprints.

In pictures: Blues beat Fulham 4-1