Football: Blues aim to avoid Leighton operation.

Byline: By NICK SMITH

EVERTON are hoping to nurse Leighton Baines back to full fitness without the need of an operation.

Going under the surgeon's knife has become a distinct possibility for the left-back after he failed to shake off an ankle injury sustained in the game at Derby County three months ago.

But Everton are reluctant to commit Baines to such a long term lay-off and continue the stop-start beginning he has had to his Goodison career since from joining from Wigan Athletic last summer.

Physio Mick Rathbone is therefore hoping that the 23-year-old can recover naturally.

He said: "He's developed some pain at the back of the ankle that only manifests itself when he kicks the ball hard.

"There is a surgical procedure that might need to be done, but Full-back Leighton Baines hopefully like all things it will get better without surgery. At the moment he is technically available for games.

"There's nothing worse for a player because normally if you're injured your injured, if you're fit, you're fit.

"To be in that grey area in between is tough, but surgery is to be avoided if possible, and he understands that."

Baines was out for a month immediately after he sustained the initial injury in the 2-0 victory at Pride Park.

He made his comeback in the Uefa Cup group game with Zenit St Petersburg on December 5 but he has only started two games since then during his struggle for full fitness.

The situation isn't too critical for manager David Moyes ahead of tomorrow's home Premier League game against Tottenham, who completed the signing of Jonathan Woodgate from Middlesbrough last night.

Nuno Valente has been occupying the left-back berth while Moyes has been reluctant to shift Joleon Lescott out wide from the centre, due to not only his current excellent form but the absence of Joseph Yobo.

Everton will tonight know if the Nigerian, along with fellow countryman Yakubu, will be available for inclusion in the squad for Saturday's trip to Blackburn.

A draw between the Ivory Coast and Mali will be sufficient to put both sides through and condemn Nigeria to an early exit from the African Cup of Nations in Ghana.

But whatever happens the Super Eagles will need to beat Benin and in the process score their first goals of what has been a hugely frustrating tournament.

CAPTION(S):

Full-back Leighton Baines