The latest Everton injury news ahead of the Toffees’ FA Cup fourth-round clash with Luton Town, as Sean Dyche issues updates on Andre Gomes and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
A second FA Cup tie this season takes place at Goodison Park on Saturday as Luton travel to Everton. The Toffees secured their spot in the fourth round with a 1-0 win at home to Crystal Palace in a third-round replay. Dyche’s squad initially played a goalless draw at Selhurst Park.
Luton also needed to win a replay 2-1 to come through their third-round tie with League One side Bolton Wanderers following a goalless draw. The Hatters will now look to claim a second win at Goodison this term. Rob Edwards’ side won 2-1 in the Premier League last September.
Everton injury list ahead of facing Luton Town in the FA Cup
Tom Lockyer (24’) and Carlton Morris (32’) secured Luton’s top-flight win at Everton, despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s (41’) reply. Dyche also started with Idrissa Gana Gueye in his squad. But the 34-year-old is still at AFCON as Senegal prepare for their last 16 tie with Ivory Coast.
Gueye headed to AFCON after nursing the calf injury he sustained in Everton’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in December. But he overcame the problem to feature as a substitute in Senegal’s Group C wins over Cameroon and Guinea. Senegal face Ivory Coast next Monday.
Yet the treatment room at Finch Farm remains busy ahead of Everton playing host to Luton in the FA Cup. So, with that in mind, here is Everton’s current injury situation facing Dyche…
Ashley Young injury latest
Everton are likely to be without Ashley Young when they host Luton in the FA Cup but could welcome the defender back from his injury at Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday. He has missed their past eight games in all competitions after getting an injury against Chelsea.
Young got a knock in the Toffees’ 2-0 win over the Blues on December 10 and has remained in Finch Farm’s treatment room since. But the 38-year-old made a 75-minute appearance for Everton’s Under-21 team on Wednesday night as the young Toffees squad beat Benfica 2-1.
Expected return: Fulham (January 30)
Andre Gomes injury latest
Dyche stated before Everton’s FA Cup fourth-round tie with Luton that Gomes has picked up a calf injury. The Toffees are still awaiting the results of further scans to determine the full extent of the issue. But he is likely to miss the Blues’ next two games across all competitions.
Gomes secured Everton’s place in the fourth round with their only goal to beat Crystal Palace in a third-round replay. The tie further marked the 30-year-old’s second start over his five appearances since returning from a calf injury. But Dyche notes that Gomes is injured again.
“Unfortunately, we’ve lost Andre,” Dyche told his pre-game press conference on Thursday. “So, we’re waiting on news on how long he’ll be out – but very unlikely for this weekend.”
Gomes could but is unlikely to recover in time for Everton’s following fixture at Fulham. They travel to Craven Cottage in the Premier League only three days after facing the Hatters in the FA Cup. So, his return at home to Tottenham Hotspur in early February might be more viable.
Expected return: Tottenham Hotspur (February 3)
Seamus Coleman injury latest
Everton remain without captain Seamus Coleman for their FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Luton Town through injury. The 35-year-old is still recovering from his hamstring problem. But Dyche stated during his pre-match presser that Coleman is only ‘probably’ not available.
The right-back is close to making his latest return to action following only four appearances so far this season. Coleman missed the start of the term with the knee injury he suffered at the end of the past season. He also suffered a setback in December to limit his involvement.
Expected return: Tottenham Hotspur (February 3)
Abdoulaye Doucoure injury latest
Dyche also said during his press conference before Everton’s FA Cup match with Luton that Doucoure has a ‘longer-term’ injury. The 31-year-old suffered a hamstring injury shortly after his return from an earlier hamstring issue. His latest injury is with the midfielder’s other leg.
Everton welcomed Doucoure back from his initial injury for their 0-0 draw with Aston Villa in the Premier League. He even enjoyed the full 90 minutes after missing four games across all competitions. Luton’s trip in the FA Cup will be Doucoure’s third game out in his current run.
Expected return: Unclear
Dele Alli injury latest
Everton have sent Dele Alli for surgery after the midfielder suffered a setback in his recovery from a groin injury. Dyche is still yet to field the 27-year-old in a competitive game since the Kettering-born boss took charge at Goodison Park last January due to the midfielder’s issue.
Dele sustained the injury while on loan to Besiktas last season and likely now faces another lengthy absence. Dyche confirmed during his press conference ahead of Everton’s FA Cup tie with Luton that the Blues refuse to put a timescale on Dele’s return following the surgery.
Dyche noted: “There was a bit of a debate as to whether to [operate] or not, which is why it took some time. So, now he’ll be recovering from that.
“There are no timescales at this time because, obviously, he’s had a lot on and we’re waiting for it to develop. The early signs are good.”
Expect return: Unclear
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
