Brentford could be without their two best attackers when they visit Goodison Park on Saturday
Everton’s next opponents could be without their two star players when they travel to Goodison Park on Saturday.
The Blues return to action after the international break with a home game against Brentford, a match that presents a crucial opportunity for a positive result heading into a tricky run of fixtures.
The Bees have started the season well and key to that has been the form of attackers Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa. Both appear to be doubts for the trip to Merseyside, however.
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Mbuemo has eight goals in 11 Premier League games this season, while Wissa has seven goals in his eight league matches – a haul achieved despite a period on the sidelines after he suffered an ankle injury against Manchester City in September. Both were important in Brentford’s win over Bournemouth in their last game before the international break, Wissa grabbing a brace and Mbuemo claiming the assist for Mikkel Damsgaard’s second half goal in the 3-2 win.
Yet neither have featured for their respective sides in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers so far during this break. Mbuemo was not involved in Cameroon’s goalless draw at Namibia last week. While Cameroon have already qualified, coach Marc Brys said before that match that Mbuemo was absent through injury.
Meanwhile, Wissa withdrew from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s squad for the matches with Guinea and Ethiopia in a decision announced last week. The DRC said he would remain with Brentford while he attempted to deal with an unspecified injury.
Sean Dyche has won all three of his encounters with Brentford as Everton boss, including two 1-0 home wins. Idrissa Gueye scored in the corresponding fixture last season, giving Everton a victory that confirmed Premier League survival days after the emphatic home Merseyside derby win.
