Roberto Martinez: 'James McCarthy suspension is a squad test'

Roberto Martinez has said that James McCarthy's suspension for this weekend's game against Fulham gives Everton a chance to test their squad.

The midfielder will miss tomorrow's match at Goodison Park after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal last weekend.

The manager told the club's website: "The squad is strong in that department. At the moment Leon Osman and Johnny Heitinga have been working very well in those roles and even Kevin Mirallas is capable of playing through the middle, so we have a few options.

"You are going to get suspensions and periods where you pick up injuries. We have been tested before as a squad and you need to be ready for it.

Now it's important that he takes a regeneration week and is ready to help the team again. It's another test for the squad but a welcome test because we need to be able to adapt to these situations."

McCarthy, who joined Everton from Wigan Athletic in the summer, has already featured in 26 games for club and country this season.