Baines (knee) will play Sunday against Leicester City, manager Roberto Martinez confirmed Friday.

Baines has missed three consecutive games due to the ailment, but he has returned to fitness and will return against a struggling Leicester side, making him an excellent fantasy option. Baines has more assists than any Premier League defender this season.

Baines (knee) is out for Wednesday's game against Chelsea.

Bryan Oviedo will get another start at leftback in place of Baines, who presumably failed a late fitness test due to his knee. His next opportunity to play in a Premier League match will come Feb. 22 against Leicester City.

Baines (knee) will have a late fitness test ahead of Wednesday's match against Chelsea, but manager Roberto Martinez said he is unlikely to play. "Leighton had a fitness test on Saturday and he hasn't bene able to train since then," Martinez said. "It's difficult to see him being involved at the moment, but we'll assess him when he comes in today (Tuesday) and we'll make a final decision closer to the game."

Baines was unable to play in last Saturday's match with Liverpool due to the ailment, and it looks like he'll miss another one. If he has to sit, Bryan Oviedo could get another start at leftback.

Baines was unable to play Saturday's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park because of a knee injury, and manager Roberto Martinez said he is unsure if he'll be fit to face Chelsea on Wednesday.

The Everton attack stalled considerably against Liverpool, with the derby finishing in a scoreless draw. Bryan Oviedo started at leftback, and he could do so again against Chelsea if Baines cannot return.

Baines only had two crosses, but picked up a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

It's rare to see such few crosses from Baines, but it was clear Everton wanted to play more defensively, not attacking so much from the wings. This is back-to-back clean sheets for Baines and he has eight assists on the season as well. He will need to provide more crosses next weekend when Everton host their biggest rivals Liverpool.

Baines was Everton's best player Monday, grabbing a clean sheet and sending in 15 crosses in the scoreless draw against West Brom.

While he was the best player for Everton Monday, he wasn't at his best as Everton just couldn't get anything going with their dominant possession. He also had a penalty opportunity that was stolen by Kevin Mirallas and it was a dreadful chance that wasn't even on goal. He'll surely regain his penalty responsibilities when Everton take on Crystal Palace in two weeks.

Baines grabbed an assist off a free kick cross in the 1-1 draw to Manchester City Saturday.

Baines was his usual self sending in four crosses on the match and capitalizing on a long free kick to grab his eight assist of the season. Baines will continue to be a top value defender for fantasy as he not only takes free kicks, but takes penalties as well, which is rare for any defender. Baines will start next Monday when Everton host West Brom.