Tony Hibbert will make his long-awaited comeback from injury when Everton Under-21s take on Fulham tonight.
The dependable right-back has not played a game all season, since undergoing calf surgery late last year and manager David Moyes had previously stated fears his season could be over. Hibbert returned to training last week however and will now be given the chance to prove his fitness at Southport’s Merseyrail Community Stadium.
The shoe-looking defender’s last game was Everton’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City in early December – one of just five first-team appearances in an injury-hit campaign.
Also included for the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Group 1 leaders are regulars Shane Duffy,Apostolos Vellios and Francisco Junior.
At the back, Hibbert and Duffy are joined by Tyias Browning, Luke Garbutt, John Stones and goalkeeper Mason Springthorpe, while Matthew Kennedy, Conor Grant and Hallam Hope complete the midfield.