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Everton have lost one of their regulars to injury ahead of their clash with Arsenal this weekend.
Everton have been hit with an injury blow ahead of their clash with Arsenal this weekend, with the blow confirmed in the lead up to their Wednesday night clash with rivals Liverpool. The Toffees have enjoyed a solid spell under David Moyes, improving significantly following the return of the experienced Scottish boss.
The Merseyside club aren’t racking up the wins under Moyes, but they have been hard to beat, heading into Wednesday night’s clash with Liverpool on the back of six games unbeaten, five of which they have drawn.
Everton did draw with Liverpool when they last met, in February, but they now have back-to-back tricky games, against the Reds, Arsenal and then high-flying Nottingham Forest. The Toffees don’t have any relegation risk at this stage, but they will want to finish the season strongly in preparation for next season, which is a big one as they prepare to move into their new stadium.
Looking much more short-term, Everton have suffered an injury blow in the form of winger Jesper Lindstrom, who has picked up a groin injury in the late stages of preparation for the Liverpool clash. After Lindstrom was absent from the matchday squad, Everton’s social media channels posted: “Manager David Moyes confirmed that Jesper Lindstrøm will miss tonight's contest with a groin strain.”
Lindstrom, who is on loan from Napoli with an option to buy, has been a regular this season, making 25 league appearances and 30 overall. He has contributed two assists to date. Given the quick turnaround between the Liverpool and Arsenal fixtures, it’s likely Lindstrom will be a doubt at the very least for the Arsenal game.
Moyes on Lindstrom
Speaking last month, Moyes admitted he needs more from Lindstrom and fellow winger Jack Harrison. He said: "Both players are yet to register on either front this season. Let's be fair - you won't have longevity if you're not going to get me assists and goals.
"You have to find ways of coming up with those numbers. I think both have done well but I need goals from them, I need assists from them. They both need to improve greatly on that."
Moyes on his strong start
Speaking before the Liverpool game about his good start to life back in Merseyside, Moyes said: "It [the stats] says that the club and certainly the team are on a better trajectory than we were before.. We've started really well. The players have done a brilliant job.
"There is a lot that can be said about a new manager coming in and I know it is our job to get them playing, but I have to say that the players have picked themselves right up, they have turned the whole place around - the crowd and the support - and they have gone on a run, which has been really good. Actually, we were a bit disappointed with a couple of the draws in there - that we didn't get victories.
"There might have been a couple of draws in there which we could have been a bit lucky with but, overall, I think the players have got everything they have deserved. They have got the results and we want to keep it going."
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