Joe Ellis

Wed 23 March 2022 16:01, UK

Everton are going to be without winger Andros Townsend for the rest of the season after it was announced he had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 30-year-old was subbed off after just 16 minutes in Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to his former side Crystal Palace to be replaced by Demarai Gray.

The extent of his injury wasn’t known on the day but the club announced earlier today (23 March) that he would miss the rest of the season with surgery expected to go ahead next week.

Everton’s announcement on Instagram received plenty of support for the England international including from former teammate Yannick Bolasie who played for both the Toffees and the Eagles.

The 32-year-old, who currently plays in Turkey for Rizespor, wrote: “Wishing you a speedy recovery bro,” in response to the club’s announcement.

Gray’s time to shine

Townsend had almost pushed Gray out of the picture altogether before this injury having produced more quality performances in recent weeks while niggles kept the 25-year-old out of action.

But this news, while awful for Townsend who has done nothing to really deserve such a big injury, might be the catalyst for Gray to push on and cement his place in Frank Lampard’s team.

The right-wing position has already been wrapped up by homegrown talent Anthony Gordon who has been delighting Evertonians for some time but if Gray can produce similar on the opposite flank, things might just turn around for the Toffees.

Bolasie is probably a player most like Gray in that he has a bag full of tricks but often didn’t get the goals or assists his talent suggested he could.

As long as Gray can find that effectiveness in the final third, he should have the left wing to himself for the foreseeable future.

In other Everton news, these European giants are set to contact the Toffees over negotiating a new deal for this loanee.

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