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Everton's Kevin Mirallas doubtful for Southampton trip due to ankle injury

Everton winger Kevin Mirallas is a doubt for Saturday's trip to Southampton after being the victim of a "dangerous" challenge, manager Roberto Martinez says.

Martinez has criticised Watford midfielder Valon Behrami for the tackle that left Mirallas with a swollen ankle.

The Belgium international was substituted 13 minutes from the end of last Saturday's 2-2 Premier League draw at Goodison Park.

He will undergo fitness checks later this week in order to assess whether he can play.

Martinez told Everton's official website: "It was a very dangerous challenge and if you review the action, he was very fortunate to escape with no major injury."

Everton have several other players out because of injury, including left-back Leighton Baines, who is waiting to discover whether he needs a second operation on an ankle injury that recurred in training before the Watford game.

Darron Gibson, Steven Pienaar, Tony Hibbert and Aiden McGeady are also recovering from injury problems, and Martinez is hoping that Mirallas will not be added to that list.

The manager said: "He's got a bit of a swollen ankle but I'm quite positive in Kevin being fit, even though as it stands now we are going to check and assess him for the weekend."

Midfielder Muhamed Besic and winger Gerard Deulofeu should be available to return at Southampton, though, having missed the Watford draw because of hamstring problems.

Martinez said: "Gerard Deulofeu and Mo Besic are very close and it's about getting them back to their best possible level.

"Physically we need giving them that introduction but they are close to making the squad for the weekend."