Martinez happy to see Gibson return from exile

Everton boss Roberto Martinez is surprising pleased to see Darron Gibson return to the Republic of Ireland set-up.

Gibson will return from a near sixteen-month self-imposed absence, after falling out with former Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni at Euro 2012, should he feature in Cologne Friday night.

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Martinez had previously been a thorn in the side of the FAI after trading barbs with Trapattoni over James McCarthy’s availability when he was Wigan manager.

Everton have three players in the Noel King’s squad (Gibson, McCarthy and Seamus Coleman) and the Spaniard believes Gibson comeback can only be good for the Toffees.

Speaking to the club’s website he said: “It’s really positive because Darron – and any player – wants to represent their country, you want to play at the best level you can and I think Darron is at that moment in his career when he needs to play for his country”.

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The former Manchester United midfielder managed at half-hour off the bench at Manchester City last weekend after recovering from a knee problem and seems happy to be back with the Boys in Green despite his outspoken exit.

“I thought they’d be alright (The rest of the squad) and that’s been the case. There’s no problem between Paul Green and me. We get on well and, anyway, I didn’t say anything bad about him. Only that I should have played ahead of him,” Gibson told the Irish Examiner.

It looks like Gibson will join Everton teammate McCarthy and Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan in a five-man midfield to face the Germans and Martinez was quick to point out with the Derry native offers to the side.

“He has got a lot to offer because he is such a unique footballer in the things that he does and he’s going to be a big asset for the Irish squad.

“The half an hour he played at the Etihad is going to help him immensely and now it’s just about making sure he can get through the demands of international football and that we have got a strong player from now until the end of the season.”