Ellis Simms in contention to play for Everton in clash v QPR tonight
Everton striker Ellis Simms is in contention to feature against QPR in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night at Loftus Road.
The Toffees will be looking to do well in cup competitions this season, but Rafael Benitez is missing several key players for this game.
Everton are heading into this game on the back of a 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa that ended their unbeaten run in the Premier League.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison currently nursing injuries, the game has come at the right time for Simms to make a strong impression.
The 20-year-old returned to training recently, and Benitez has revealed what he told the youngster.
The Spaniard said to Everton TV: “I went to talk to Marcel [Brands, Director of Football] about the situation and Simms, who’d had a couple of training sessions, was there.
“I said, ‘Are you happy to go, are you ready?’
“He said: ‘Yeah, yeah, I am ready’. So, after some months injured, we had to take him.”
Huge potential
Simms is a highly-rated young talent, and Benitez feels he can play more regularly for the senior team should he improve his movement.
The youngster recovered from groin surgery after a successful loan at Blackpool last term. He scored 10 in 23 games with the Seasiders but picked up the injury before the League One play-off final in May.
Last week, he made his first appearance in a matchday squad. He didn’t play any part as he is still short of full fitness, but he has the confidence of his manager.
Simms showed massive potential in the academy ranks at the club, and the Toffees are hoping that he can come of age and deliver for the senior side. It seems he has left an impression on Benitez who was impressed after watching some of his training videos.
Having missed the entirety of the pre-season with a groin injury, he is still far from full fitness. He might not start in the Carabao Cup but Benitez could give him some minutes off the bench.
In other Everton news, the Blues have reached a verbal agreement over this player’s exit.
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