Tim Howard's recovery from calf injury ahead of schedule, says Roberto Martinez

Tim Howard's recovery from a calf injury is exceeding expectations. He could feature in the Everton line-up ahead of schedule.

Manager Roberto Martinez provided the positive update Thursday ahead of the team's match against Crystal Palace, scheduled for Saturday, and says he expects the team's 'keeper to make a return in February.

"Tim is progressing really well, better than any medical advice would think,” Martinez said, courtesy of the team's website. "We are still working within those six to eight weeks since the injury happened but he is progressing extremely well and probably a little bit ahead of what we predicted.

“We are now going to carry on treating him based on how he feels each day.”

Howard hasn't appeared in a match since Dec. 26, when he injured the muscle in a match against Stoke City.