Fernandes unlikely to make quick debut

Manuel Fernandes will undergo his Everton medical today and is therefore highly unlikely to be involved in the Barclays Premier League home clash with Manchester City tomorrow.

The midfielder only flew into Merseyside last night, after the Toffees and Valencia had agreed on a short-term loan deal until the end of the campaign for the player who was also on loan at Goodison Park last season.

Everton will be without Joseph Yobo, Ayegbeni Yakubu and Steven Pienaar – all away on African Nations Cup duty – for the match that will have a major bearing on qualification for the Champions League.

Midfielder Mikel Arteta will be back after a three-game suspension, but Leon Osman is still out injured.

Provisional squad: Howard, Hibbert, Lescott, Jagielka, Stubbs, Valente, Baines, Arteta, Carsley, Cahill, Neville, McFadden, Johnson, Anichebe, Vaughan, Wessels, Gravesen, Anderson.