Everton boss Roberto Martinez has claimed that he is looking forward to having Christian Atsu return from the African Cup of Nations, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
The Ghanaian midfielder has played just three times for Everton this season, but the Toffees are without nine other players who are out injured like Kevin Mirallas, Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy all ruled out until the end of the month, as reported by the Physio Room.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Martinez claimed he was relishing to have Atsu back: “We have been missing too many players, even up to the extent of losing someone like Christian Atsu who was getting stronger – this would have been a good period for him to be available.
“When he comes back from the African Nations Cup he could join some players who will make us really strong again in numbers.”
The 23-year-old joined Everton on loan from Chelsea last summer to add some pace and width to the Toffees midfield, but so far the Ghanaian has failed the break into the first-team and hasn’t played in the Premier League for almost two months. The midfielder has completed 76% of his passes, creating two chances and committing one defensive error this term.
Despite not featuring for Everton on a regular basis, Atsu played 68 minutes for Avram Grant’s Ghana in the 2-1 loss to Senegal in the African Cup of Nations.
Atsu had been linked with a move to Steve McClaren’s Derby County on loan to replace Jordon Ibe who returned to Liverpool last week with Jose Mourinho reportedly becoming annoyed with the lack of game time the 23-year-old was getting at Goodison Park, as reported by the Derby Telegraph.