Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen could return from injury to face Everton
Everton will be disappointed to hear the news that Joachim Andersen could be fit to play for Crystal Palace against the Toffees on Sunday.
The Toffees travel to Selhurst Park tomorrow afternoon (12 December), hoping to build on their dramatic late 2-1 win over Arsenal on Monday night (6 December).
Palace have been without Andersen for their last three matches due to a hamstring injury, but Patrick Vieira revealed yesterday (10 December) that the defender has returned to training ahead of Sunday’s Premier League fixture.
It would be a huge boost for the Eagles if he was able to feature, as they have failed to pick up a single point while he has been on the sidelines – losing to Aston Villa, Leeds United and Manchester United.
In contrast, before Andersen got injured Palace were on a seven-match unbeaten run, with the Danish international playing every minute in that streak.
Andersen ranks first in the Palace squad this season for passes per game (67.9) and accurate long balls per game (6.3), joint-second for interceptions per game (1.5) and third for clearances per game (2.9) [WhoScored].
In his absence, 32-year-old James Tomkins has filled in at centre-back and looked slightly out of his depth; he was at fault for the opening goal in the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
With Salomon Rondon expected to be back available for Everton, Rafa Benitez will have to decide what his best approach is to compete against Andersen.
Richarlison played as a lone striker against Arsenal on Monday, but Benitez could deploy the Brazilian and Rondon upfront together like he did against Liverpool.
In other Everton news, Mark Lawrenson has predicted the outcome of Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace.
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