Everton boss Roberto Martinez: 'We won't throw Leighton Baines back into action'

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that he will not rush Leighton Baines back into the team after he came through 90 minutes in a friendly.

The England international has not played competitively for Everton this season having had two separate ankle operations six months ago.

Last week, the 30-year-old scored in a behind-closed-doors friendly win over Preston North End.

"With Leighton, it is day by day," Martinez told the Liverpool Echo. "He has enjoyed a really successful period but he needs to get his confidence back and it is about finding that match tempo.

"The game behind-closed-doors was a real success. He played for 90 minutes at a really good tempo in everything he did, but we won't put pressure on Leighton and won't be throwing him in."

Everton will host Aston Villa at Goodison Park on Saturday.