Premiership: Cadamarteri eases Everton striker crisis

Everton striker Danny Cadamarteri has handed boss Walter Smith a timely boost with the news that he is close to returning to full fitness after shaking off a troublesome ankle injury.

The Toffees' manager is facing a striker-crisis ahead of the Easter programme with Duncan Ferguson and Francis Jeffers both suffering further set-backs.

Ferguson may be passed fit in time for the weekend games, but if he fails to recover from a knee injury then Smith may choose to recall 21-year-old Cadamarteri in his place.

"It's down to the manager, the coaching staff and reserve team manager as to whether they deem me fit enough for selection," Cadamarteri told the club's official website.