Roberto Martinez has claimed all 3 strikers are vitally important to Everton this season and says Arouna Kone will get his chance to shine after his latest injury set back.
He said: “I always said from the beginning it’s important we have three outstanding strikers and I see Romelu, Niki and Arouna as vital members of our team. Striker is a position which helps from being refreshed now and again. All Arouna needs to do, and it’s the same for the others, is keep training hard and show that he is ready to come in and help the team.”
Kone, 29, has started to regain his fitness edge after the devout Muslim observed the Ramadan period during pre-season, but suffered a knee injury last week before the victory over Chelsea.
Martinez admits it was hard on the former Wigan target man, who scored 13 goals for the Latics last season, as he had started to look ready to make an impact before his latest setback.
“He looked that way a week ago and the timing of his injury was unfortunate,” said the Catalan.
“Now he’s champing at the bit to be ready. He should have a very good opportunity to be involved on Saturday. He has still got a bit of bruising in his bone – he got a knock in training – but we hope over the next 24 hours he will be available to be with the side.
“They will all be important in that number nine position. Those three are vitally important.”