Abdoulaye Doucoure update emerges in Everton team news at Finch Farm
Sean Dyche has revealed the latest injury update at Everton ahead of a vital Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Monday 19 February.
The Toffees are in desperate need of their first league win since a 2-0 victory over Burnley in December, eight matches ago. Fellow strugglers Crystal Palace are the perfect opportunity for three points.
Ahead of the clash, Dyche offered the latest updates on his players, providing news on Abdoulaye Doucoure, Amadou Onana and Seamus Coleman.
Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday (13 February), he said: “Seamus [Coleman] got some more minutes at City. Hopefully, Doucs [Doucoure] gets back with the group, he’s been building into that.
“Amadou Onana worked well when he came on [against Manchester City on Saturday], so we are beginning to get the group back to full fitness.
“That hopefully is going to be the last of these groups of injuries. Hopefully, we can keep everyone fitter for longer which will give us a way better chance of challenging ourselves for the rest of the season.”
Arnaut Danjuma, Andre Gomes and Dele Alli are set for much longer spells on the sidelines, however.
Abdoulaye Doucoure vital for Everton
Of course, Coleman and Onana have been huge misses at Goodison Park, but Doucoure is a whole different animal when it comes to Everton, a player who can change the game in an instant.
The Malian remains the club’s top scorer this season, boasting six goals from midfield and helping the Toffees to wins over Chelsea, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, to name just a few.
The return of Doucoure will be even more important for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has missed the midfield presence linking him to the rest of the team during a match, with Tony Cascarino describing his current role as “lonely”.
These returns from injury could not have come at a better time for Dyche, who will be hoping to push out of the relegation zone and above Luton Town and Nottingham Forest.
Despite their current standing in the Premier League, there is still a quiet belief around Goodison Park that the Toffees can survive yet another relegation scare, even after their 10-point deduction. Fitness and injuries will be key, though.
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