‘Fantastic Lennon Key To Everton’s Ressurection’

Aaron Lennon has been the reason for Everton’s recent Premier League revival and the on-loan winger’s fantastic work rate is starting to rub off on his teammates, manager Roberto Martinez said on Thursday.
.
The 28-year-old Lennon, who joined on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in January until the end of the season, has scored twice in his last three games as 12th-placed Everton have gone unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches after a slump that had them hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone.
.
“The work rate Aaron Lennon has, has been a massive influence, along with the pace that helps him get into certain positions,” Martinez told the Liverpool Echo.
.
“That has been infectious and is really helping the team. You see him going into goalscoring positions and using his talent and creativity in the final third.
.
“He is clearly a massive part of the reason we have performed so well in the last four games and got those results.
.
“But every player has reacted in the same manner, the commitment of the whole team and the way we have been working on and off the ball shows a real team ethic.”
.
Everton, who now have 38 points from 32 games, host 19th-placed Burnley at Goodison Park on Saturday and Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku could return after missing the last two matches with a hamstring problem.
.
“Romelu Lukaku has had two really good days with the group,” Martinez told a news conference on Thursday.
.
“We are very happy and I expect him to train today and go through the next two sessions with no problems.
.
“If that’s the case, then he will be available for the squad at the weekend, although that doesn’t mean that he is ready to play 90 minutes.”
.
Martinez rejected suggestions that Lukaku could be rested between now and the end of the campaign after struggling with a number of injuries this season.
.
“Someone like Rom needs to be on the football pitch. He is only 21 and I don’t think there is any need for that (a rest) at all,” he said.