New Everton signing Mykolenko to miss Brighton PL clash
Vitaliy Mykolenko will have to wait to make his Premier League debut for Everton as the club has confirmed the Ukrainian won’t feature against Brighton on Sunday.
The 22-year-old is unable to play due to Premier League rules but he will be unveiled to the Goodison Park faithful prior to the 14:00 GMT kick-off.
The left-back joined the club from Dynamo Kyiv for an undisclosed fee on New Years Day but the Merseyside club couldn’t get all of the paperwork complete in time to add him to Sunday’s matchday squad.
Fresh Impetus
Everton were criticised in the summer for a lack of signings with Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray the two standout incoming for Rafael Benitez.
A combined £1.7million for the two English attackers didn’t show much ambition from the club but both have performed above expectations this season.
The duo are however injured and neither are expected to feature against Graham Potter’s Seagulls this weekend.
But after a dreadful first half of the season, the Everton board have completely changed their view on the squad and fans should be encouraged.
Mykolenko’s announcement came less than 12 hours into the new year and all the hard work and planning on getting the deal done quickly has paid off.
The Ukrainian will be available for the first time when the Toffees head to Northumberland to face Championship outfit Hull City in the FA Cup Third Round on 8 January.
The Cup encounter could be the perfect chance for Mykolenko to adapt to English football before Leicester visit Goodison Park on 11 January in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old’s arrival though is likely to see the end of Lucas Digne’s time at the club with the Frenchman widely reported to be leaving Merseyside in this transfer window.
In other Everton news, this Toffee has hit back at critics of English football’s festive fixtures.