Baines has been ruled out for three months after ankle surgery so 19-year-old Galloway is expected to deputise at left-back again – as he did in the opening-day 2-2 draw against Watford.
Advertisement
Martinez has therefore targeted Buttner to fill in for Baines, and are prepared to bring the 26-year-old Dynamo Moscow star to Goodison Park on loan.
A lay-off of around a month had been anticipated, but Everton confirmed on Thursday that the scenario is worse than first feared.
Everton revealed just ahead of their Premier League opener against Watford on Saturday that Baines had injured his ankle in training.
Baines suffered his latest injury when the ball struck him on the ankle during a training session and the manager said: “We’ll find out a bit more later today but I don’t expect Leighton to be involved in the next two squads”.
The aim was to ensure he was pain-free in time for the new Premier League season but he is back to square one after the ankle was damaged in training last Friday.
Roy Hodgson’s men face San Marino, Switzerland, Estonia and Lithuania in September and October as part of their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, while November 17’s friendly against France could also come too soon for Baines.
Everton completed the signing of Mason Holgate from Barnsley for an initial £1m on Thursday.
Advertisement
There were initial concerns whether he would get enough playing time in the Premier League but given his performance against Everton, he may as well have got himself a regular place in Qique Flores’ side. “He will have an important role in the first team this season”.
