Ross Barkley fitness boost for Everton with full training return set for Monday

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is set to step up his recovery from a knee injury by returning to full training on Monday.

Barkley, 20, has yet to play for his club this season, having sustained medial ligament damage in training on Aug. 15 -- the day before their opening Premier League match at Leicester.

But Toffees boss Roberto Martinez says the England international is close to full fitness, telling Everton's official website: "On Monday we expect Ross, with the green light from the medical department, to join the group.

"Now it's a matter of getting him match fitness and getting him up to speed. Ross has been working really, really well and I don't expect any setbacks. I expect Ross, from now on, to have a real clear path to get his match fitness back."

Martinez hinted that Barkley could be ready to play again within a couple of weeks of returning to training, which would suggest the possibility of a return to the squad either for the league trip to Burnley on Oct. 26, or the home match against Swansea six days later.

Can't wait to get back out there �� pic.twitter.com/BWHUdp8SY6

- Ross Barkley (@RBarkley20) October 9, 2014

However, Everton's manager -- who has revealed John Stones will be out for 10 to 14 weeks with damaged ankle ligaments -- is reluctant to put a date on Barkley's first-team return, saying: "It depends -- sometimes it's a couple of weeks, sometimes it is less. It depends how his body reacts to the work and how quickly he can get the physical element.

"Remember, one of Ross' biggest strengths is his physicality and how strong he is sometimes helps in terms of getting his match fitness.

"But he has been out for a while and we need to make sure we give him the right work now to make sure he is at his very best.

"His desire and hunger to be in the team is contagious and that is something I want to have with the group.

"From Monday, I want him to be part of it and in probably a couple of weeks we should be able to see Ross in the squad."

The return of Barkley will be a huge boost to Everton, who are languishing in 17th position in the league after picking up just six points from their first seven games of the season.