Roberto Martinez: 'We won't rush Phil Jagielka back'

Roberto Martinez has said that Everton will not "rush" Phil Jagielka back, despite Sylvain Distin's injury.

The Frenchman picked up a knock at the weekend, leaving the Toffees with just two fully-fit recognised centre-halves in John Stones and Antolin Alcaraz for their trip to Southampton this weekend.

The manager told the club's website: "Phil Jagielka has got his own programme and it is important that we follow that and we don't rush him back.

"He has been involved with the first team training now and that is a really good sign. We want Phil back as quick as we can but not because we have got an injury with Sylvain.

"We aren't going to rush and do the wrong things in his individual programme. Phil is going to be fully fit very soon and I do expect that he will probably be able to make the squad against Manchester City and that's always been the plan. I do believe that we will be able to reach that."

Jagielka has not featured since injuring his hamstring during February's defeat to Chelsea.