Baines to see ankle specialist

Everton defender Leighton Baines is to see a specialist to determine the extent of an ankle injury.

The left-back was forced off in the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Sunderland and is a doubt for this weekend’s trip to West Ham.

“We’re going to find out a bit more in the next two days,” manager Roberto Martinez told evertonfc.com.

“It was really, really painful in an area that has been a bit of a problem for Leighton.

“We’ll get more clarity over the next 48 hours and clearly we’ll address it once we get that information from the specialist.”

The 30-year-old, traditionally ultra-consistent with his fitness, has had more than his fair share of injuries this season having missed matches in November with a hamstring problem and a thigh and knee injuries sidelining him in February and March.

Baines was replaced by Luke Garbutt on Saturday and a late run of games in the side may help persuade the 21-year-old to stay on at Goodison Park as his contract expires in the summer.