EVERTON could be without as many as six stars for their visit to St Mary’s on Saturday, with it looking like four are guaranteed absences at the minimum.
New manager Frank Lampard picked up their first Premier League win of his tenure with the 3-0 hammering of sorry Leeds United on Saturday.
Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane and Richarlison all got on the scoresheet and look set to feature again versus Saints this weekend.
While Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side boast an almost clean bill of health with Nathan Tella and Nathan Redmond continuing their recovery for minor concerns, and Alex McCarthy remaining out, Lampard will have a reduced squad at his disposal.
Here is the six stars Toffees could be without, as they look to put more than the five points distance between themselves and the relegation zone...
Tom Davies
Midfielder Tom Davies has not featured for the side since November and is not expected to return until April.
The 23-year-old made five Premier League appearances at the start of the campaign but has since been kept out by a knee and then hamstring injury.
Yerry Mina
The Colombian international central-defender sustained an injury in Everton's 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United last week.
Previous injuries meant it was only his fourth game since the start of October in the league, but he had started both matches under Lampard.
He scored in their 4-1 FA Cup win over Brentford this month, with his aerial presence now one less thing for Hasenhuttl’s side to worry about.
Ben Godfrey
Mina is not the only defender that Everton will be without for their visit to St Mary’s.
The former Norwich City star is also sidelined with a hamstring injury, and is expected to be out until March.
While Everton have struggled this season, he had played every match but the first three of the season before his recent injury – filling in at right-back, centre-back and left-back.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Important French midfielder Doucoure also looks set to miss out with his return not scheduled until March.
The former Watford midfielder – who has 21 goals in a Premier League career and scored versus Saints in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park – has been out since a 1-0 loss for Everton against Aston Villa in January.
He has suffered a foot injury and a groin injury this season, and Lampard said last week that he was still "three to four weeks away”.
Fabian Delph
Former England international, Delph, could be one of the earliest to return for Lampard with his progress recovering from a thigh injury going well.
However, St Mary’s should come too soon. The 32-year-old has only made six appearances in the league this campaign, with the last in mid-December.
Demarai Gray
Demarai Gray had an electric start to the season with three goals in the first four matches, but being in and out of the team with fitness has meant he has not scored since December.
The 25-year-old missed the win against Leeds with a hip injury picked up during the Newcastle United contest last week.
However, Lampard is hopeful that he may be fit to return to the squad to face Saints. He played almost a full 90’ and provided an assist in the FA Cup win over Brentford this month.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel