David Moyes shares Vitalii Mykolenko injury update ahead of Hull vs Everton
Everton fans have been sweating on Vitalii Mykolenko’s fitness ahead of their clash with Hull City on Sunday.
The Ukrainian missed his nation’s last three matches of the international break with an issue picked up in the 1-0 win over Hungary.
The exact issue was not revealed by the media in his country, leaving the Blues to find out the extent of it when he returned.
If he is out, it would be a setback for the Toffees, as they have no other recognised option at left-back.
Adam Aznou has been loaned out to Malaga to help his development, after being deemed not ready for Premier League football.
Moyes’s latest injury debrief shared some context, and revealed whether he will be sidelined or not.
What has David Moyes said about Everton's injuries vs Hull?
Merlin Rohl has also been on the sidelines recently, while Christian Norgaard returned to training recently.
Moyes revealed that Mykolenko’s issue was not that serious and he could be back in contention this weekend.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said: "He's [Mykolenko] got a chance for Sunday, the extra day might help, we'll see.
"We've just had the England players back, today, so hopefully they'll all be fit and ready to go.
"We had a behind closed doors game, so he [Norgaard] got the first minutes he's had for a long time, he's making progress, I don't know if he's quite ready to be involved yet.
"With our numbers being so short, it might be something I have to look at, but if I had my way I would certainly give him a bit more time if I could."
If Mykolenko does not make it, then the Scotsman may already have a solution to the issue that it provides.
Why Everton already have the solution to the problem
James Garner has already shown that he can slot in at left-back and he was required to do so with the England national team too.
The Three Lions star’s versatility was probably what convinced the hierarchy to allow Aznou to depart on loan for the season despite the lack of apparent cover.
He also offers more attacking threat than Mykolenko, so may actually form a better relationship with Jack Grealish on the left, something which the Ukraine ace has not done.
They also have enough depth in midfield with the likes of Hayden Hackney, Harrison Armstrong and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall capable of filling in whatever role is required.
Therefore, if Garner is pushed into defence, it should not hampered the L3 outfit too much against Sergej Jakirovic’s side.
It will perhaps allow them to play with more freedom, and the Englishman can hold his own defensively when his side don’t have the ball.
It is not like they will be concerned about Garner's defensive ability, and worried that the Humberside outfit would target that side if he was there.