Blues hopeful of Pienaar return

Everton are hopeful South African midfielder Steven Pienaar could make a quick return to full training after breaking his big toe in a pre-season friendly.

Pienaar has been out since suffering the injury in the game with PSV Eindhoven on August 9 but has been given the all-clear to start doing extra fitness work.

“Steven has been for a scan and he has been given the all clear to start doing some swimming in the pool and other bits of rehab work,” Everton manager David Moyes told the Liverpool Echo.

“It's just over four and a half weeks since he suffered the injury and usually when you break a bone (in your foot), it's six weeks before you get the go-ahead to training properly again.”