Vitalii Mykolenko. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Vitalii Mykolenko. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Vitalii Mykolenko. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Everton injury news on Vitalii Mykolenko after Ukraine’s loss to Belgium.
Everton have suffered a new injury concern during the international break.
Vitalii Mykolenko was forced off for the Ukraine in their 3-0 loss against Belgium. The left-back went down in the 67th minute and needed medical attention - but could not continue.
According to Ukraine boss Serhiy Rebrov, Mykolenko has potentially sustained a serious injury. Via Ukrainian football reporter Zorya Londonsk on X, Rebrov said: “The fact Mykolenko couldn’t carry on today, means it’s likely serious. We will see after his MRI scan.”
Londonsk subsequently reported that Mykolenko stopped to talk to reporters in the mixed zone after the loss. Londonsk added: “Mykolenko confirms to us in the mixed zone that it’s a thigh injury he picked up today (not clear if it’s front or back or what exactly) He will wait and see the seriousness of it when he returns to Everton tomorrow.”
Mykolenko is Everton’s only senior recognised left-sided full-back in the current squad. This season, the 25-year-old has made a total of 29 appearances, recording two assists.
The Toffees are not back in action until Wednesday 2 April when they make the trip across Stanley Park to face Liverpool in the Merseyside derby. As things stand, there could be five members of David Moyes’ squad unavailable at Anfield. Dwight McNeil (knee), Iliman Ndiaye (knee) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) are working back from long-term injuries. Meanwhile, on-loan Lyon midfielder Orel Mangala has ruptured his ACL and won’t play again this campaign.
Should Mykolenko be unavailable then Moyes will have to reshuffle his defence which as put together a nine-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League. Ashley Young is the likeliest option to fill in but the Toffees could turn to captain Seamus Coleman or Nathan Patterson to operate on the opposite flank.