David Moyes has provided an update on Iliman Ndiaye after the forward was taken off with an apparent injury during Everton’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland.
The two Premier League sides shared the points at the Stadium of Light on Monday, with Ndiaye’s sensational first-half solo goal cancelled out by Granit Xhaka’s deflected finish after the interval.
Ndiaye, who scored his fourth goal of the season for the Toffees, was taken off at the hour mark and replaced by Dwight McNeil, with summer signing Tyler Dibling remaining on the bench.
Moyes Shares Iliman Ndiaye Injury Update
ndiaye
Moyes shared a positive update regarding Ndiaye when speaking post-match, suggesting the Senegal international had only picked up cramp;
“I don't think it's anything serious. I think he picked up a bit of cramp and was worried about it. It was a wonderful goal he scored – and typical Ili. He's got dancing feet and it was a really good goal.”
Moyes also explained his decision to bring on McNeil instead of summer signing Dibling, who has played just 62 minutes of league football this term:
“Dwight’s been training really well these last couple of weeks and we thought it would be the right moment for him.”
Ndiaye is the only Everton player to score more than one goal in this Premier League campaign, with the 24-year-old registering five goal contributions in 10 starts for the Toffees.
The Senegal international is almost halfway to reaching last season’s goal tally (9) following a superb first-half effort at the Stadium of Light, which earned Everton a hard-fought point.
Everton’s form up front has been concerning this term, with strikers Beto and Thierno Barry combining for just one Premier League goal.
Barry, who was handed his third start of the campaign on Monday, had a perfect opportunity to open his scoring account but skied Jack Grealish’s cross from inside the six-yard box in the first half.
Everton have won just once in their last six Premier League games, a 2-1 home victory over Crystal Palace last month. The Toffees next host Fulham on Saturday before November’s international break.
Moyes’ side are 14th in the Premier League following the 1-1 draw at Sunderland, five points above the bottom three.