Injury expert says £55k-a-week Everton player is ‘pushing for a start’ vs Crystal Palace

Injury expert says £55k-a-week Everton player is ‘pushing for a start’ vs Crystal Palace

Everton are one of the Premier League clubs to have been ravaged more than most by injuries this season.

And it is not just the quantity of absentees suffered, but the quality too, with key members like Abdoulaye Doucoure, Amadou Onana and Seamus Coleman having all missed vital parts of this campaign so far.

As if Sean Dyche’s troubles could not get any worse after suffering a ten-point deduction back in November, the off-pitch failures have now seemingly infected the playing staff too.

That being said, the fight from this squad has remained admirable, and they have given themselves a fighting chance of securing a third straight survival with three months left to play.

However, whilst the appeal verdict will prove pivotal, so too will be the host of returning faces.

What’s the latest on Everton’s injury problems?
These persisting injuries have likely left Dyche frustrated, given he is yet to really field his strongest side in 2024.

Every game has been missing at least one key component of his first team, and that likely explains why they have only won once since the turn of the new year.

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They will be hoping to add to that again on Monday, as they host Crystal Palace at Goodison Park. Ironically enough, the Eagles are the side to have gifted Everton their only win of the year in the FA Cup.

Well, their chances of brushing aside Roy Hodgson’s out-of-form outfit are set for a huge boost, with injury expert Ben Dinnery detailing the latest on the Toffees’ ailments.

He writes: ‘Seamus Coleman is pushing for a start against Palace after minutes from the bench in GWs 23+24. Abdoulaye Doucoure hopes to rejoin the group ahead of Monday night, while Amadou Onana and Ashley Young are edging closer to ‘true fitness’ following their recent injuries.

‘Arnaut Danjuma and Andre Gomes, ankle and calf, respectively, are expected to be out for a little longer.’

Seamus Coleman fixes a big problem for Sean Dyche
Whilst Ben Godfrey has deputised well at full-back, we all know that this is not his preferred position.

Willing to sacrifice himself for the team and for Dyche, years after he made the same sacrifice under Carlo Ancelotti, he is the embodiment of a true consummate professional.

But, his defensive instincts naturally outweigh any offensive impetus, and therefore he often blunts the right flank with his lack of technical quality.

And whilst Coleman is hardly the most proficient technician within the squad, his intelligence and experience allow him to push forward at key moments without leaving the defence lacking.

Just by overlapping at key moments, the £55k-a-week leader might afford the vital inch of space needed for Dwight McNeil to find his man with a cross, or fire off a shot.

With Godfrey, Ashley Young and Nathan Patterson all vying for this spot, Coleman’s return from injury ends the contest, as the club captain should trump all.