Sean Dyche has addressed Everton’s lengthy injury list ahead of their trip to Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
It’s been a disastrous start to the season for the Toffees as they sit bottom of the table with four defeats from four league games.
Losses to Brighton, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Aston Villa have seen Dyche’s side score four goals but concede a mammoth 13!
Everton’s only win has come over Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup, but they have now been eliminated from that competition after a penalty shootout loss to Southampton on Tuesday night.
A number of players missed that loss to the Saints through injury and illness, with Dyche preparing a list of updates on his squad for his press conference on Thursday.
The Toffees boss reeled off his injury news, starting with England international Jarrad Branthwaite, who is yet to make an appearance this season.
‘Jarrad’s making progress and hopefully gets involved in the game this weekend, it’s looking like he will do, with the under-21s,’ said Dyche.
‘James Tarkowski we’re hopeful he trains today, see if there’s no reaction. Nathan Patterson is the same as Jarrad.
‘Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks okay today, was back in and on the grass so hopefully his illness has gone. Jimmy Garner is still not in, with illness.
‘Idrissa [Gana Gueye] has unfortunately had a family bereavement so he won’t be here. Myko [Vitalii Mykolenko] is through the illness, he was in today so we’re hopeful that’s him done.
‘Seamus [Coleman] is still injured, unfortunately is going to be longer than we hoped, so that’s not going to be a quick situation, we’re not sure of the timescales yet.
‘Youssef [Chermiti] is making good progress but obviously quite a long-term injury. Armando [Broja] is making progress, but also obviously a longer term injury.
‘Keano [Michael Keane] is getting checked out today just having a precautionary scan to make sure he’s ok.’
With Leicester City picking up just two points from their first four matches, it already looks like a big game for Everton this weekend as they look to finally kick their season into gear.