James Garner could have crucial Everton role to play under Sean Dyche after promising injury update
Everton are likely to be boosted by the return of former Manchester United midfielder James Garner in the coming days after injury, and he could have a crucial role to play under Sean Dyche.
The Toffees are currently 18th in the table after 22 outings with only 18 points to their name as well as the small number of 16 goals – the smallest record in the division so far.
And if Dyche is to drastically improve the club’s fortunes in the coming days, he’ll need to get his midfield and forward line firing in the coming weeks after a mixed start to his tenure so far.
The Toffees battled to a hard-earned crucial 1-0 win over Arsenal on 4 February, but then reverted back to their struggling selves as they were torn apart by Merseyside rivals Liverpool at Anfield in a 3-0 defeat [13 February].
A number of factors have contributed the club’s poor form this season, not least the perilous amounts of injuries both Frank Lampard and Dyche have had to deal with, as well as the sale of Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United in January.
More crucially, Dominic Calver-Lewin has endured his fair share of injury troubles this season which has further compounded the Toffees’ dreadful record in front of goal, whilst break-out starlet Nathan Patterson and other key players have failed to maintain their fitness.
Dyche will need all the quality he can get in the coming weeks. One player who has been out of action since November with a back injury is summer signing James Garner and a new update on his potential return has now been revealed which could give Dyche and the Toffees a huge boost very soon.
According to Premier League injury expert Ben Dinnery, the Manchester United academy graduate could soon become available for Dyche to deploy in the centre of the pitch at Goodison Park, with his injury status changed from ‘ruled out’ to 25%, and his potential return is predicted for 18 February.
While the player is unlikely to feature against Leeds United on Saturday, the new availability status hints that the midfielder’s return is imminent.
The 21-year-old ace signed last summer for £15m has struggled to impose himself in the Toffees setup since his move but could form a crucial part of Dyche’s midfield, taking on similar responsibilities to that of his former lieutenant Ashley Westwood who formed a pivotal part of the 51-year-old’s midfield setup at Burnley.
Current options Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure are struggling for consistency right now, with players putting in dreadful performances when Dyche needed them most against Liverpool.
If Dyche can get Garner to the levels he showed last term while at Nottingham Forest, the Toffees could well be in very capable hands at the heart of their midfield for the foreseeable future as they try to navigate their way out of a troubling position in the relegation places.