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Dwight McNeil could feature for Everton v Manchester City [Credit: Imago]
Jonathan Burnett
Tue 24 December 2024 16:10, UK
Dwight McNeil faces a late fitness test for Everton against Manchester City on Boxing Day, according to Ben Dinnery.
Dinnery reported via his Premier Injuries website (24 December) that ahead of the Toffees’ clash with the defending Premier League champions, McNeil has a 25 per cent chance of playing due to a knee issue.
McNeil first missed the Blues’ 0-0 draw at Arsenal on 14 December and identical result with Chelsea eight days later, with Sean Dyche not expecting the winger to be fit for their clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Dwight McNeil return could be huge for Everton v Manchester City
Should McNeil’s 25 per cent chance of a return against City increase by the time of his late fitness test, Dyche may just be tempted to bring his number seven back into the fold given the circumstances.
The Toffees have recorded back-to-back stalemates against title-chasing sides since their huge win over Wolves, and head to City with the defending champions in absolute disarray.
Sean Dyche
Sean Dyche will be hoping for Dwight McNeil’s return ahead of facing Manchester City [Credit: Imago]
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Pep Guardiola’s side have won just one of their last eight league games, recording six losses along the way, and while Dyche will retain his safety-first approach, he’ll know that City are there to be beaten.
Despite the champions seemingly being in freefall, Dyche also knows that beating them away from home is still easier said than done – and doing so would be made much easier by the return of McNeil.
The Toffees are on the hunt for reinforcements with the January transfer window approaching, but as has been the case for many a new signing, McNeil will remain Dyche’s first-choice pick out wide.
In other Everton news, one Sky Sports pundit said Jordan Pickford was lucky to get away with what he did against Chelsea.
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