Everton duo Richarlison and Rodriguez will miss City clash – report
Everton attackers Richarlison and James Rodriguez will not be fit in time to face Manchester City, according to FourFourTwo.
The Toffees take on Man City just 48 hours after their 1-0 win against Sheffield United which both Richarlison and Rodriguez missed through injury.
There were hopes that both players would be fit for the huge festive fixture at Goodison Park but FourFourTwo claim that the duo won’t be available for selection.
The report claims that the Premier League’s concussion protocols have ruled Richarlison out of the match after he took a blow to the head during Wednesday’s cup clash against Manchester United.
FourFourTwo also claim that Rodriguez’s calf problem is persisting as he looks set to miss a sixth successive match.
The Toffees managed without two of their key players as a late Gylfi Sigurdsson goal gave Everton a deserved win over Sheffield United on Boxing Day.
The result fired Carlo Ancelotti’s side to second in the table and after the game, the Italian had to fend off questions about his side’s title hopes.
There has been some turnaround from Everton after their form fell away completely at the start of November.
After losing three league games in a row, the Toffees have rallied and have now secured four straight Premier League wins.
They managed without Richarlison and Rodriguez against the Blades but Pep Guardiola’s Man City present a much tougher task and Ancelotti’s side will need to be at their best if they are to extend their winning run.
A win with a weakened side would be seriously impressive and it will leave Ancelotti fending off more questions about whether his side will be challenging for the title in the coming months.
In other Everton news, the Blues could regret not adding to their squad next month.