A round-up of the latest Everton news as Sean Dyche issues an update on Abdoulaye Doucoure’s injury and now targets a short-term transfer for a 31-year-old free agent.
Abdoulaye Doucoure is ‘touch and go’ for Crystal Palace v Everton
Blues boss Dyche has admitted that Doucoure is one of a few Everton players ‘touch and go’ for the FA Cup third-round clash at Crystal Palace. The 31-year-old has ‘just about’ resumed training at Finch Farm ahead of Thursday’s encounter. But he remains a doubt due to injury.
Doucoure has missed Everton’s last three Premier League games after suffering a hamstring injury in their 2-0 win at Burnley. The Toffees lost each of their fixtures without the Mali ace, too. Now, Everton return to Selhurst Park in the FA Cup after winning 3-2 there in November.
Everton took a late win at Crystal Palace in the league as Idrissa Gana Gueye hit in the 88th minute. Doucoure had earlier given the Toffees a 2-1 lead before Odsonne Edouard replied. Now, though, Gueye is another Blues player with Ashley Young fighting to overcome injuries.
“There are people who are touch-and-go,” Dyche said during his press conference. “Then [it is a case of] do you play them or do you not, as you can imagine. We hope to have a couple back in with the idea of playing or certainly being in the squad.”
Read more about what Dyche has had to say about Everton’s injury situation, here.
Everton rival Brentford for Assane Diao’s transfer from Real Betis
Everton are rivalling interest from Brentford for the mid-season transfer of Real Betis winger Assane Diao. That is according to Sky Sports, which reports that the Bees are prioritising the signing of a left-winger. But the Gtech Community Stadium team must beat Everton for Diao.
Brentford have a clutch of targets but are exploring Diao’s transfer for this January window. Everton also admire what the 18-year-old can bring to the Premier League if funds become available for Dyche. The Blues are also prioritising the transfer of a winger and a centre-half.
Diao has caught Brentford and Everton’s interest after offering Real Betis two goals in 11 La Liga games this season. The Spain U21 winger has even scored four goals in 18 games in all competitions. Diao also only made his first-team debut at Real Betis back on September 21.
Read more about Everton’s interest in the transfer of Diao from Real Betis, here.
Everton consider offering Jesse Lingard a short-term contract
Everton are considering giving Lingard a short-term contract to land a return to the Premier League in the January transfer sales. That is according to talkSPORT, which claims that the Toffees want to improve their creativity after losing each of their last three top-flight games.
A chance to sign Lingard appeals to some at Goodison Park as the 31-year-old is still a free agent. He left Nottingham Forest at the end of a one-season contract at the City Ground last summer. The midfielder has since trained at Steven Gerrard’s Saudi Arabian team Al Ettifaq.
Lingard only started in 12 of his 17 Premier League appearances for Nottingham Forest over the 2022/23 campaign. But he can make a quick impact after offering West Ham United nine goals and five assists across 16 appearances whilst on loan over the second half of 2020/21.
He had not played for Manchester United in the Premier League that season before moving to London Stadium. Yet Lingard offered his nine goals and all but one of his assists in his first 10 outings at West Ham. Aaron Cresswell also called Lingard ‘class’ while with the Hammers.
Read more about Everton’s interest in a short-term transfer for Lingard, here.
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