Sunday 21 September 2014 15:47, UK
Roberto Martinez believes Samuel Eto'o is ready to make the transition from super sub to starting striker after being convinced of the 33-year-old's quality in his short time at Goodison Park.
Eto'o set up Kevin Mirallas for Everton's final goal in Thursday night's 4-1 UEFA Europa League win over Wolfsburg and is pushing for his full Goodison Park debut against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The veteran former three-time Champions League winner was seen as a risk in some quarters when he signed a two-year contract in August after being deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea.
But despite a groin injury hampering attempts to get his Everton career up and running, manager Martinez is adamant he has seen enough already to believe Eto'o will make a significant impact at the club this season.
Martinez said: "Samuel has been so influential in the day-to-day training with the players and (against Wolfsburg) he gave me the impression he is ready from a physical point of view.
"That is going to be a major boost for the squad because in just two substitute appearances you could not believe the influence he has had on the squad already.
"His goal against Chelsea was an incredible introduction and I can't wait to see him playing for a longer time with the team."
Coming off the back of last week's win at West Brom, Everton's performance against the Germans on Thursday night gave the impression their season is now up and running.
But Martinez has urged caution, believing the result rather flattered his side and urging more development from his players before they can truly ensure their tough start to the season is a thing of the past.
Martinez said: "We're still growing as a group and some of our partnerships are becoming stronger, but there are many things we can do better and aspects we can still improve.
"Against Wolfsburg we were heavily tested and the result reflected that we were brutal in front of goal."
Martinez will certainly not be taking anything for granted against Palace who stole the three points in last season's equivalent fixture and will be itching to repeat the feat under new boss Neil Warnock.
"We have to make sure everybody is fully recovered to face a very tough challenge because last season we struggled and lost the points," added Martinez.
"This Palace side have got a really good continuity from what they did in the last campaign so we are well aware of the task we face."
