Alex Iwobi injury update potentially encouraging after Everton FA Cup loss to Manchester United
Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi is set to “undergo a scan” on an ankle injury picked up in the 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United on Friday evening (6 January), according to Joe Thomas.
The Toffees ace was left in a heap following a challenge from United left-back Tyrell Malacia early in the second half and spent a prolonged period of time receiving treatment from the club’s medical staff.
Iwobi has been a mainstay in Frank Lampard’s side this season and has been given a new lease of life since moving into a central midfield role at Goodison Park – which has seen him pick up five assists already in the Premier League.
The club are reportedly hopeful the damage isn’t as bad as first feared, according to the Liverpool Echo journalist Thomas.
Taking to Twitter, he said: “Alex Iwobi has suffered an ankle ligament injury and will undergo a scan to see how serious it is.
“He was on crutches at the end of the game but Frank Lampard hopeful it isn’t as serious as it first looked.”
Big blow
Things just keep going from bad to worse for poor Frank Lampard, and this latest blow to Iwobi could well prove his death knell if positive news doesn’t come back from the scan.
The ex-Arsenal winger has been one of the club’s few bright sparks this term, and his energy and positivity in the heart of the Toffees’ midfield will be sorely missed. Despite failing to hit the ground running at Goodison Park, Lampard has transformed Iwobi into a brilliant central midfielder – much like Eddie Howe and Joelinton at Newcastle.
The 26-year-old has proven himself a combative and hard-working operator and a trusted lieutenant to Lampard in an otherwise dire campaign for the Everton boss.
With a crunch clash against Southampton dawning on the horizon (Saturday 14 January), the Toffees boss will hope his star man can recover quicker than first expected and return to face Nathan Jones’ side.
This crucial six-pointer is a must-win for Everton if they want to stand any chance of avoiding relegation this season.