Protracted Kevin Mirallas injury return could pave way for Christian Atsu playing time at Everton

Ghana winger Christian Atsu is expected to profit from injury to Belgian star Kevin Mirallas and make the Everton squad for their trip to Burnley on Sunday. 

Atsu, 22, on loan from Chelsea, has failed to make the Everton squad for their last three Premier League games but could make the squad as the Belgian has not fully recovered from his injury.

The 27-year-old has been sidelined since pulling a hamstring during the first half of last month's Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Mirallas is yet to return to training and will definitely miss the Blues' next four games.

And, boss Martinez could be forced to bring in the Ghanaian as the Belgian won't be available anytime.

Ivorian Arona Kone, Bryan Oviedo and John Stones are all out and Atsu must capitalise on their absence to stake his place in the squad before they return from injury else he will fizzle out.

He came off the bench to play a cameo role in Everton's 0-0 stalemate at Lille in the Uefa Europa League on Thursday.