As Coleman edges closer to Everton return, what’s left for Martina?

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Cuco Martina has featured just once under Everton’s interim boss David Unsworth.

Interim manager David Unsworth told Everton’s official website last week that long-term injury woes Seamus Coleman and Yannick Bolasie were close to a return to first-team training – but one man’s gain is another man’s loss.

Right-back Coleman, 29, has been forced to watch from the sidelines since breaking his leg while on international duty with Ireland, as Aston Villa defender Neil Taylor flew into a tackle with the Toffees defender during a 0-0 draw with Wales.

Approaching eight months since last playing, Coleman is nearing a return and is still likely to be considered Everton’s first-choice right-back when he is deemed fully fit.

However, Unsworth will now have a decision to make after the breakthrough form of Toffees academy product Jonjoe Kenny, while Mason Holgate can operate at both right-back and centre-back.

Coleman’s return, twinned with the impressive early form of Kenny and the versatility of Holgate is likely to mean summer signing Cuco Martina will become surplus to requirements at Goodison Park.

Joining the Toffees from Southampton in July 2017, the signs are already there for all to see that Martina’s future is simply not on Merseyside – playing in only one of Unsworth’s five games in charge.

Although he missed the Watford win due to a concussion, Martina was not included in the squad to face Leicester or Chelsea and has made just five Premier League appearances since joining.

Coleman is a fan favourite and has worn the captain’s armband at times, while the next Toffees manager is likely to give Kenny a chance to shine due to his age rather than 28-year-old Martina.

Third-choice in the pecking order for a place on the right side of defence, and potentially fourth if you include Holgate, Martina’s chances of first-team football are next to nothing and a January move should be orchestrated.

The January transfer window is now less than six weeks away and Martina should seriously consider leaving the club just six months after joining in order to prevent his career from hitting a standstill.