Stubbs to return to Toffees defence

Alan Stubbs is poised to return to the centre of Everton’s defence for tomorrow’s Carling Cup third-round tie at Sheffield Wednesday.

Stubbs has not played since sustaining a muscle injury in a draw at home to Blackburn on August 25, but with Joseph Yobo sitting out training today through illness, the veteran looks set for a place.

A doubt remains over Mikel Arteta who has now missed the last two games with an ankle injury, while goalkeeper Stefan Wessels is due to continue as Tim Howard’s replacement as the American recovers from a broken finger.

Team (from): Wessels, Hibbert, Stubbs, Lescott, Yobo, Baines, Valente, Pienaar, Arteta, Carsley, Neville, Osman, McFadden, Jagielka, Yakubu, Anichebe, Ruddy, Vidarsson.