Everton manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed that Antolin Alcaraz is ready to make his debut for the club after returning to full fitness.

The Paraguayan defender has been sidelined with a hernia problem since joining the Toffees on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic over the summer.

Despite revealing that Alcaraz is now ready to play, Martinez admits that this weekend's "intense" Merseyside derby against Liverpool could be the wrong type of game for him to feature in.

"He is fully fit now and has been working really well in the last week. He is one week ahead of what I expected," the Spaniard is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"A full intense derby would probably be the wrong moment to give him the opportunity but he has been working really and has progressed really well."

Everton welcome local rivals Liverpool to Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday.