Everton boss Roberto Martinez has played down form concerns for Ross Barkley.
The 20-year-old looked to be suffering some hangover from his toe injury when he played at Tottenham last weekend.
"Ross will be up to speed by then," said Martinez. "I'm just trying to protect him through the next two games this week. We have Crystal Palace and the FA Cup, I expect he will be 100 per cent against Chelsea and moving on from then. For the friendly on March 5, if he is required, he will be back to his normal self.
"I think they will get a player that is refreshed and will finish the season really strong. The injury won't affect him at all. He is growing from a mental point of view. He is understanding his body, starting to cope with the physicality of the league, I think that will help him. When you play and nothing goes against you, you don't learn that much.
"Ross has been through good things already but having to suffer an injury and watching the team from the side and having to come back and still getting yourself back to 100 per cent allows you to know about yourself and I think you are going to get a more mature player.
"He was medically fit two weeks ago and I think now it's just certain aspects when he pushes from the ground there is a sharp pain and that stops him thinking on the ball and instead on his foot. That takes time.
"He is not 100 per cent in terms of match fitness and sharpness on the ball."
