With Everton struggling to create chances in recent games, the sight of Dwight McNeil hobbling off late in the draw against Fulham was very concerning. The Toffees are very dependent on setpieces, and with James Garner already out injured, having McNeil miss any time could be very detrimental for the Blues.
Speaking today during his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Southampton, manager Sean Dyche indicated that there was a possibility McNeil could be fit for the Saturday afternoon fixture, and also added that Abdoulaye Doucoure had picked up a nick in the same game.
“Dwight has got a chance, we are hopeful. He’s done a bit of work with the physio team today so we are hopeful about him.
“Doucs had a situation but he was back out on the grass today so we will see how that reacts tomorrow.”
Dyche provided an update on Garner as well, and the news is not good for the 23-year-old, and the same goes for summer signing Tim Iroegbunam.
“Jimmy Garner is very unfortunate, he has a longer-term injury. I mentioned last week about getting an assessment from the specialist, they have advised a period to slow him down and take him off the grass. So we will have to wait and see on that one, but it’s going to be weeks, not days. It’s a back injury that we have to be careful with.
“It’s going to be beyond a month, I am sure of that. And with Tim having a broken stress bone in his foot, that’s a challenge – two young good midfielders out for us.”
Forwards Youssef Chermiti and Armando Broja are still working their way back to fitness, with the latter closer to a return.
“Broja is working hard, his stats are good but he’s still with the sports science team. The crossover will occur maybe next week when he starts the light stuff with us – warm-ups and possession games. Then that builds into a journey back to playing. He’s been out a fair while, so will have to get some games in there as well.”
For the Saints trip on Saturday, if McNeil is unable to go it’ll likely mean Jesper Lindstrøm will get the start on the right wing with Jack Harrison shifting into the central role and Iliman Ndiaye staying out wide on the left.
