Gemmill on way back for Everton

Unlucky Scot Gemmill is finally back in training with Everton after missing all the opening Premiership games.

The Scotland international has not played since the pre-season friendly with Roda JC on August 5 due to a thigh problem.

Gemmill tore his muscle during a training session and he has spent the past six weeks battling for fitness.

It has been a frustrating period for the 30-year-old midfielder, who now faces a fight to break back into manager David Moyes’ first-team plans.

Moyes has plenty of midfield options, with Tobias Linderoth having staked a claim this season. The Swede has played in all six of Everton’s matches.

Gemmill also has to fight his way past Thomas Gravesen, Lee Carsley and Steve Watson.

His return has not come quickly enough to be considered for Wednesday’s Carling Cup home game with Stockport.

Gemmill will have a full week of training and could play in next week’s reserve derby with Liverpool’s second string.

Kevin Campbell is also unlikely to be considered for the second-round Carling Cup clash.

Moyes, who is considering changes up front against Stockport after the disappointing defeat at Middlesbrough on Sunday, will not want to risk Campbell, who has had just a week of training since picking up a hamstring injury in August during a pre-season friendly with Bologna.

Moyes said: “Kevin is training, but we will want to give him a reserve match before involving him in the first team.”

Reserve midfielder Leon Osman could also have been involved against Stockport, but he has a cracked rib.