The full-back suffered a thigh injury while on international duty with Ukraine
Vitaliy Mykolenko of Ukraine during the UEFA Nations League playoff match between Belgium and Ukraine. The Everton defender was withdrawn in the second half with a thigh injury. ANP | Hollandse Hoogte | GERRIT VAN KEULEN (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
Vitaliy Mykolenko of Ukraine during the UEFA Nations League playoff match between Belgium and Ukraine. The Everton defender was withdrawn in the second half with a thigh injury. ANP | Hollandse Hoogte | GERRIT VAN KEULEN (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
Vitalii Mykolenko said the injury he picked up on international duty would be assessed by Everton upon his return.
The Ukraine international was taken off in the second half of the 3-0 Nations League defeat to Belgium on Sunday.
The thigh issue that led to his early withdrawal was initially thought to be serious, with Ukraine manager Sergei Rebrov stating he would need to undergo an MRI scan.
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Speaking to Ukrainian media, Mykolenko provided an update on the situation which suggested the matter will be dealt with at Finch Farm.
He said: “I suffered an injury and will undergo examination at the club. I injured my thigh. We could not counterattack and because of that, we had to defend a lot.”
Ukraine were defending a 3-1 first leg lead in their Nations League play-off with Belgium. The second leg, in Genk, was goalless when the 25-year-old was taken off in the 69th minute. His side then collapsed, conceding three late goals to lose 4-3 on aggregate.
Mykolenko is now a serious doubt for the Merseyside derby next Wednesday. The thigh problem is a double blow for Blues boss David Moyes - not only is he the only specialist left back in the Everton squad, he also has a good track record against Liverpool.
The position is one Moyes will seek to address in the summer given the reliance on Mykolenko, whose latest injury is his fourth in 12 months.