Everton's James McCarthy returns from injury before hobbling off pitch

James McCarthy's return from injury lasted only 26 minutes.

Moments after assisting Everton's 22nd-minute equaliser versus Stoke City on Monday in a fixture that marked his first in exactly one month, McCarthy hobbled off the pitch.

The fixture was supposed to be a festive occasion for McCarthy, whom was making his first appearance since he overextended his upper hip muscle during Everton's 3-3 draw at AFC Bournemouth in November.