Ancelotti explains Allan absence & provides injury boost ahead of Merseyside Derby
Carlo Ancelotti has explained why Allan was absent during Wednesday evening’s game between Everton and Manchester City.
The Brazilian midfielder had returned to Ancelotti’s squad last Sunday when he appeared as an unused substitute against Fulham, and the former Napoli man had looked in line to return to action against the Citizens.
However, the 29-year old midfield general, who has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury in mid-December, was completely dropped from the match-day squad.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via The Independent), Ancelotti explained the logic behind Allan’s omission against Man City. He said:
“We preferred to give Allan one day training instead of staying on the bench.
“He trained today and we hope he will be available for Saturday – to start. Also, Calvert-Lewin, I think, can start.”
Double bonus finds Everton at the right time
It isn’t completely unfair to say that Everton’s loss against Manchester City was a foregone conclusion before the first whistle, because City had won 11 Premier League matches consecutively beforehand.
City’s colossal run takes the sting out of Everton’s failure to pick up any points, but it does mount pressure ahead of the Merseyside Derby this weekend, with a third consecutive league loss possible for the Toffees if they aren’t to find a way past the Reds’ makeshift defence.
Considering that added pressure, the news that both Allan and Calvert-Lewin are able to play couldn’t have come at a better time for the Toffees, who head into the weekend just one place and three points behind their neighbours, albeit with a game in hand.
Time will tell if the returning duo will offer Everton enough to see us finally overcome our torrid record of Derby day disappointment, but their return certainly provides the club with the best possible chance to finally get back to winning ways.
In other Everton news, Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t believe Everton’s players should have any regret over their 3-1 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday evening.