Everton manager David Moyes has been discussing player fitness ahead of the game at Wolverhampton Wanderers
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David Moyes speaks in his pre-match press conference to preview Everton's trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers
David Moyes speaks in his pre-match press conference to preview Everton's trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers
David Moyes admits that Iliman Ndiaye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dwight McNeil are still not close to making an Everton comeback. The Blues have built up a seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League but as they return to action with a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (8pm kick-off), the injured attacking trio are not in the manager’s immediate plans.
McNeil, who has had minor surgery for a knee problem, hasn’t featured since the corresponding fixture against Wolves at Goodison Park on December 4 when Everton triumphed 4-0 under previous boss Sean Dyche.
Calvert-Lewin pulled his hamstring in the 1-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on January 25 while Ndiaye hasn’t featured since leaving the 2-2 draw at home to Liverpool in tears on February 12 having suffered medial ligament damage.
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Asked about them in his pre-match press conference to preview the fixture at Molineux, Moyes said: “The likes of Dwight, Iliman, Dom, are forward players and creative players who we’re needing back. I don’t think any of those three at the moment are really close.
“Ili is doing much better. He’s not running yet or anything but he’s certainly improving from his injury.”
The 61-year-old, who also spoke about club captain Seamus Coleman, added: “I don’t see them quite on the horizon yet. The likes of Seamus (Coleman), those boys are back and in and around it, without being match fit or having any minutes under their belt.
“They’re getting back into training but those other three are still a wee bit away yet.”
There was more encouraging news regarding striker Armando Broja, who is on loan from Chelsea, and took part in Everton’s warm weather training camp in the United Arab Emirates.
In terms of the Albania international, Moyes said: “He’s training, he’s joined in a little bit. He’s not fully right yet.
“I would say after the international break would probably be the right time. There’s an outside chance that maybe he could be fit for next week.
“At the moment, I can only follow the medical team. If I was guessing, I would probably say it looks more like after the international break.”