Chelsea FC target John Stones backed to impress this weekend – against the Blues

John Stones (credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Everton defender John Stones has been backed to impress this weekend against the team who recently tried and failed to buy him, Chelsea.

The two sides go head-to-head at Goodison Park at lunchtime on Saturday, with England international Stones having been the subject of at least two bids from the Premier League champions before the transfer window slammed shut.

However, Toffees boss Roberto Martinez has no doubts about how focused Stones will be on the job in hand, having featured for England in their Euro 2016 qualifying wins over San Marino and Switzerland.

The Spaniard told reporters: “John has gone from strength to strength in a period of high pressure and has used it in the right way, taking the support of everyone at the club and has performed with incredible maturity and composure.

“The way he went away and performed for England in a very natural manner shows the calibre of player we have.

“Our best interest is to continue developing John to allow him to be a very important footballer for us.”

Meanwhile, Martinez is hopeful that midfielder Tom Cleverley could be back in action in around six weeks, after scans on an ankle injury confirmed that there are no broken bones.

He added: “The scans revealed it was no fracture and it was only ligament damage and although it will be a long period, it is not as bad as feared.

“With ligament damage you could expect six to eight weeks, but knowing how strong and fit Tom is we’re looking at six weeks.”