Everton get best possible outcome as Iliman Ndiaye announcement made
Everton have confirmed exactly when Iliman Ndiaye and teammate Idrissa Gana Gueye are set to head off on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Everton have known for a while that they will be without the key pair during a crucial period in the season.
The AFCON runs from 21 December through until 18 January, with clubs having to release their players in advance.
Ndiaye has been exceptional for Everton this season and will be a major miss for however long he’s away, as will Gueye, who is serving a three-match ban.
However, it has now been confirmed that he may not be away from quite as long as expected.
Everton confirm when Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye will head off on AFCON duty
Ndiaye and Gueye will both be representing Senegal at the competition and will therefore be expected to go deep in the competition.
There has been uncertainty over when clubs will be made to release players, with Premier League sides understandably wanting to delay it for as long as possible.
As confirmed by Everton via X on Wednesday, the pair will not have to report for Senegal duty until 15 December.
That is two days after Everton face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, meaning Ndiaye and Gueye – back from a three-match ban by then – will be available for selection.
Had the call-up date sanctioned by FIFA been on 13 December or earlier, as some feared, they would not have been able to play.
Games Ndiaye will now feature in ahead of AFCON
Everton defeated Bournemouth 1-0 on Tuesday to help put the heavy loss to Newcastle United firmly behind them.
Ndiaye had a rather mixed evening and has now gone four games without a goal involvement for the Toffees.
But there is no doubt how important he is to this Everton side and he will be among the starters against Forest at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
| Opponent | Date | Stadium |
| Nottingham Forest | 06/12 | Hill Dickinson |
| Chelsea | 13/12 | Stamford Bridge |
| Arsenal | 20/12 | Hill Dickinson |
| Burnley | 27/12 | Turf Moor |
| Nottingham Forest | 30/12 | City Ground |
Gueye is banned for that one, but both men will then also be available for selection against Chelsea the following weekend.
They will, however, miss games against Arsenal, Burnley and the reverse fixture with Forest at the very least, depending on how far Senegal advance.
If nothing else, though, having them for the Chelsea game is a big plus.
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