A big part of Everton's second-half revival at Anfield, causing plenty of problems for Liverpool defenders and assisting Idrissa Gana Gueye's goal.placeholder image
A big part of Everton's second-half revival at Anfield, causing plenty of problems for Liverpool defenders and assisting Idrissa Gana Gueye's goal. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Everton face Fulham in a pivotal Premier League clash, here is the early injury news with three players potentially missing out.
One thing that David Moyes would have been crossing his fingers for is that Everton avoided injuries with such a small senior squad.
There isn’t much depth outside of the matchday squad and, so far, the Toffees boss has largely escaped too many problems in terms of absentees. Currently in 14th place in the Premier League, up next is Fulham in 15th and Newcastle in 13th in a couple of weeks. It is a key period of fixtures for Moyes only six points away from the Champions League places.
Everton injury news with Fulham the visitors
With Marco Silva returning to his old club, a win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium would put Everton back on the right track and looking up the table with only two players ruled out through injury and good news about another who caused a bit of a sweat against Sunderland.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw in which Everton should have secured all three points, Moyes said of Iliman Ndiaye, via the club’s official website: "I don't think it's anything serious. He wasn't sure if he was cramping up or something tightening up so we felt it wasn't worth taking the risk at the time."
With goals in short supply and a new striker a must for January, Ndiaye’s form has elevated his importance in Moyes’ team and a repeat of his solo goal against the Black Cats would be greatly appreciated. On Ndiaye's goal, Moyes said: "It was a wonderful goal he scored – and typical Ili. He's got dancing feet. It was a stunning goal – old-fashioned dribbling and the finish was exquisite, nicely placed and weighted. We know he's got that."
Two Everton stars go under the knife
There are two other players who are a concern for Moyes, however, neither are likely to be seen anytime soon. Jarrad Brathwaite underwent surgery for his troublesome hamstring and won’t be seen until the new year with the gaffer lamenting his long-term loss: “He's fine, he is in a brace, he really is disappointed. We're hugely disappointed because Jarrad Branthwaite would be one of our top players and for us to be playing and not having him is a big, big blow to us. We've had to do it near enough all the season so far and he'll certainly be out for a little while longer.”
Moyes also clarified the position of Nathan Patterson with the right-back continuing to struggle to stay fit and having to undergo another operation: "[Patterson] has had a small procedure on his groin so he's obviously not available for this game,” the manager said ahead of the trip to the north east.
"We've got a couple of knocks and bruises and one or two people with a couple of little bits but hopefully we'll be okay,” he added. Not quite a clean bill of health, but he is in a position that a lot of his rival managers would love to swap him for.”
Meanwhile, Fulham’s only real concern is Antonee Robinson who is expected to remain out with a knee problem.
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