Osman back for Everton

Midfielder Leon Osman returns for Everton’s fourth round FA Cup clash with fellow Premier League side Birmingham at Goodison Park tomorrow.

The 28-year-old missed last week’s victory over Manchester City with a hamstring problem.

Everton’s long-standing injury list appears to be shortening with Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling (both hamstring) likely to return for next week’s league visit of Sunderland.

Mikel Arteta and Victor Anichebe, who both sustained serious knee injuries last season, are almost ready for their comebacks.

Provisional squad: Howard, Distin, Heitinga, Baines, Bilyaletdinov, Vaughan, Cahill, Neville, Fellaini, Pienaar, Osman, Donovan, Nash, Baxter, Agard, Coleman, Duffy, Rodwell, Gosling.