Gareth Barry

Gareth Barry will undergo a late fitness test in order to determine his participation in the upcoming game against champions Leicester City.

This was expected to be a game of huge significance after Leicester’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United. However, Tottenham’s failure to keep up with the table leaders – after drawing 2-2 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday night that meant that Leicester City have sealed the league title without stepping onto the pitch. The game against Everton will see Leicester handed the trophy in front of their own supporters.

Even though the entire attention will be on the newly crowned champions, Everton are hoping to take advantage of the celebrations to steal some points at the King Power stadium. Manager Roberto Martinez is aware that the team needs a strong line-up in order to come anywhere near taking a point against the champions, who have only one defeat at home all season. Everton are surely going to be without players like Phil Jagielka, who suffered a major injury in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United. However, there is some uncertainty at the club as they hope midfielder Gareth Barry may be fit for the game.

The former Aston Villa and Manchester City midfielder will undergo a late fitness test in order to determine his participation against Leicester. “There are injuries sometimes that you can’t really predict and this one we can predict. He’s already working at 60 per cent of his ability in terms of running.I would be very, very surprised if he’s not available for the Norwich game so there’s no accuracy that he could miss any length of time during mid-May. Phil Jagielka will be fully fit probably by May 12 or 13. From Everton’s point of view, we want Phil Jagielka fit,” said Martinez ahead of the game.