Everton team news v Manchester City emerges as embargo drops
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye are both expected to miss the Everton clash against Manchester City on Wednesday 27 October, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The newspaper shared the update on Tuesday 26 December after an earlier press conference was embargoed until lunchtime today ahead of the game.
The midfield duo have been substituted early in recent games against Burnley and Tottenham, with better news expected on their conditions soon at Goodison Park.
Sean Dyche admitted there was genuine concern over the condition of Gueye, but Doucoure could return to the grass at Finch Farm within a week.
Better news was expected over Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman though, who could both return against the Premier League champions.
Blow.
Gueye and Doucoure have both been central to the up-turn in form under Dyche, with their roles in midfield certainly specialised.
That being said, the return of Andre Gomes to the fold at Spurs gave everyone reason for hope with his goal and determination in the heart of the side a real positive.
It could be likely that the Portuguese international starts against City, something that nobody would have expected only a couple of weeks ago, but that is football.
Getting Doucoure back is likely more important than Gueye, but having a full-strength side is always a positive in the Premier League, with every last player needed.
The embargoed news finally being released gives us all a clearer picture of what to expect when the team news drops tomorrow, with nothing too different.
Everton welcome City to Merseyside on the back of their Club World Cup, and could definitely take advantage of that with another huge three points.
In other Everton news, the Toffees now want this Manchester United attacker in January