The Everton future of Cuco Martina is clouded.

The Liverpool Echo says Martina is close to a return after being sidelined with the knee problem which stopped a summer move out of Everton.

But a switch for the defender in the January transfer window remains up in the air.

The full-back was ready to leave Goodison after being told he did not feature in Marco Silva's plans but his hopes of an exit were dashed by injury sustained in training.

Martina will not rush into making a decision about this next step and could wait until his contract runs out in the summer, if he is not fully ready in January.