Everton manager Sean Dyche has managed under pressure at Goodison Park
Everton manager Sean Dyche has managed under pressure at Goodison Park
Injury Hub

Sean Dyche could turn to Mackenzie Hunt v Luton Town after Everton injury update

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Everton have been plagued by injuries this season and Sean Dyche has been dealt one final blow ahead of the last few matches of the campaign.

Following a three-game winning run against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brentford, the Toffees have secured their safety in the Premier League, which softens the blow of any new injuries.

Despite this, Dyche and his team will still be keen to end the 2023-24 campaign on a high after a very stressful season at Goodison Park, but they have been dealt a blow in doing so.

The club confirmed on Tuesday (30 April), as per its official website, that Vitalii Mykolenko suffered an ankle ligament injury during the Merseyside derby and will be unavailable for the final three matches of the season.

With this update in mind, Dyche must turn to Everton Under-21 sensation Mackenzie Hunt, having been on the fringe of a senior debut throughout the season.

The 22-year-old left-back, who has notched one goal and two assists in 11 Premier League 2 appearances so far, has been on the first-team bench on 20 occasions in 2023-24.

Sean Dyche must utilise Mackenzie Hunt as Vitalii Mykolenko ruled out for Everton

Mykolenko has been a vital part of Dyche's squad since arriving at Goodison Park in December 2021, so his injury has come as a huge blow even despite the club's safety being secured.

While Hunt has little experience at senior level, with no first-team minutes and no loan spells away from Merseyside, Dyche may have no other choice but to throw him into the deep end.

Some Evertonians may be surprised that the 22-year-old has yet to actually make his debut, especially after so much involvement with the first team this season.

Everton Vitaliy Mykolenko
Everton have been dealt an injury blow with Vitalii Mykolenko

Now, with the first-choice left-back unavailable, and Premier League safety taking seriousness away from the final three matches of the season, Hunt has the perfect opportunity to feature.

Both Luton Town and Sheffield United are brilliant chances to help the youngster gain some valuable minutes on the pitch at senior level and he must be on the teamsheet at least once this season.

In other Everton news, the club want to sign a young attacker who has been compared to a Champions League winner after his price tag emerged.

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Sean Dyche
Vitaliy Mykolenko
Mackenzie Hunt
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