Everton manager Roberto Martinez has claimed that striker Romelu Lukaku will be "even stronger" once he returns from injury.

The on-loan Chelsea forward has been on the sidelines since injuring his ankle in the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in January, but the former Wigan Athletic manager is adamant that the time off will have done the Belgian some good ahead of the final stretch of the season.

"Romelu has been working really well and been looking fresh and ready. It has been such a demanding season for him," Martinez told evertontv.

"You need to refresh a little bit and get back even stronger and that is where we will see the benefit. He watches every single game and has been keeping an eye on what we have been doing."

Lukaku could return for Everton's next fixture at home to West Ham United this Saturday.

Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte