Everton defender Mason Holgate expected to return in October
Everton defender Mason Holgate is reportedly expected to return to full fitness in the middle or final week of October, having been out with a knee injury.
According to injury expert Ben Dinnery, he will not be available for Manchester United, but he could be in contention next week which will be the middle of the month.
Holgate’s last appearance for the Toffees was in August when they played out a 1-1 draw against Everton.
Important squad player
Holgate is unlikely to be a first-team regular at Goodison Park any time soon but what he offers is versatility and he’s good to have on the bench.
Not only can he play at right-back and centre-back, he can also be thrown in at left-back in case of an injury crisis or if Frank Lampard wants to shut the back door.
He’s also been deployed in central midfield previously and also has a few games played on the right side of a midfield four.
We’re surprised that at 25 he does not want to leave for first-team football, but as he’s decided not to, it does not seem like anyone at the club has a problem with him being there.
Lampard certainly values utility players like Holgate and we should see more of him before domestic football takes a break for the World Cup.
Hopefully, the Toffees continue their relatively decent run of form and avoid defeat against Manchester United who will be looking to silence critics after a heavy derby defeat.