An overview of the injury situation at Everton a week before the Blues travel to the Emirates
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Youssef Chermiti on the ball during an Everton training session at Finch Farm on November 26, 2024
Youssef Chermiti on the ball during an Everton training session at Finch Farm on November 26, 2024(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
Everton could welcome back senior players to the matchday squad when they face Arsenal next week. Sean Dyche’s small squad has been stretched several times already this season and he is currently dealing with the absence of several first team players.
Centre back Michael Keane missed the matches with Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers with a minor knee complaint and should be fit for next week.
Seamus Coleman is also getting stronger after a hamstring issue that ruled him out during the last international break. He has been on the bench across the past two matches but has been growing in fitness and, with fellow full back Nathan Patterson, is an option should Dyche consider moving the in-form Ashley Young across to left back - though incumbent Vitalii Mykolenko has generally played well when up against Bukayo Saka.
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Armando Broja will also be 10 days further into his first team training programme. Having marked his return from an achilles injury with two matches for the Under-21s, he made his senior debut at Wolves and his cameo provided evidence he could be a valuable addition to the Blues frontline.
The Chelsea loanee may well be frustrated by the postponement of the Merseyside derby, which could have offered him more minutes as he builds up his fitness and his relationship with team mates - while he will be stronger for Arsenal he will then have to sit out the following match, which is against his parent club, thus stunting his progress.
With that in mind, Dyche could use the Arsenal game as an opportunity to give Youssef Chermiti exposure to the first team. His recovery from a foot injury suffered during what was shaping to be a promising pre-season is entering its final stages. The 20-year-old completed another 70 minutes for the Under-21s in their draw with Ipswich Town on Friday night meaning that he, like Broja, is about to provide Dyche with attacking reinforcements during a season in which they had struggled for goals before thrashing Wolves 4-0 on Wednesday.
Two players who are further back in their progress are the long-term central midfield absentees Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner. Iroegbunam has taken steps forward in recent weeks and could come into contention towards the end of the month, while Garner remains sidelined with his back problem.