Ancelotti confirms Rodriguez will miss Everton’s trip to Newcastle
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that James Rodriguez will miss his side’s game against Newcastle United this weekend.
The Toffees will travel north without Rodriguez as they look to get back to winning ways after losing for the first time this season last time out against Southampton.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti said that his summer signing will miss the trip to St James’ Park but didn’t disclose the exact reason why.
He said: “He had a little problem and needs to rest for this game, I think he will be available for the next game.”
A report in The Daily Mail claims that Rodriguez is suffering from a testicle injury after damaging it against Liverpool but Ancelotti didn’t confirm that report.
It is worth noting that Ancelotti also said that Rodriguez would miss Everton’s game against Southampton, but the Colombian played the full 90 minutes against the Saints.
The 29-year-old has scored three goals and registered three assists in his six outings for Everton this season, meaning he is averaging one goal involvement per game in the Premier League.
Stats like this explain how important Rodriguez is for Everton and how much of a miss he will be as Everton look to overcome a Newcastle side that drew with Wolves in their last league outing.
Even without Rodriguez Everton should have enough to beat Newcastle and get themselves a win that would keep them top of the Premier League for another week.
In other Everton news, Nikica Jelavic has spoken of his surprise that he was sold to the Toffees in 2012.