Everton’s relegation rivals suffer huge injury blow, with three key players ruled out

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Everton are a side that has been ravaged by injuries this campaign.

Although, admittedly, this has been a trend plaguing plenty of the Premier League.

Whether it be the ever-growing schedule, an increased tempo to the division’s play or the sheer amount of international travel many players are forced to endure, this has been one of the worst-ever years for ailments keeping stars out.

Going without Abdoulaye Doucoure has been especially tough for Sean Dyche of late, who has forged the Mali international into one of the division’s finest attacking midfielders.

However, his imminent return is set to provide a huge boost for the Toffees, whilst one of their relegation rivals instead suffers a massive setback.

Which Crystal Palace players are set to be injured?

As Roy Hodgson faces increased pressure on his position in the dugout, given Crystal Palace have won just two of their last 14 games in all competitions, things seem to be going from bad to worse.

That is a position only supported by The Daily Mail‘s latest report, which outlines a fresh injury hammer blow for a side reliant on Eberechi Eze.

It is noted that the creative maestro is set to miss up to three weeks now with a muscular tear, which will likely force him out of their clash with Everton on Monday the 19th of February. That is, if he is not rushed back, as has been the case at times this season under Hodgson.

Alongside that, Michael Olise was also ruled out for at least two months as he suffered another hamstring setback earlier in the week, whilst Marc Guehi is also set for a spell on the sidelines after injuring his knee.

This flurry of key absentees could prove catastrophic for a side that was already nosediving towards the relegation zone.

A great chance for Everton to take a step towards safety

Although it feels like it is just Everton and Luton Town battling to avoid that third and final relegation spot, the reality is far more comforting for these two.

After all, it could be argued that five different sides could realistically fall to the drop, other than Burnley and Sheffield United, with Palace joining Nottingham Forest and Brentford in potential positions of peril.

Just five points separates Everton in 18th and the Eagles in 14th.

To lose these three key players could completely derail Roy Hodgson’s season, even if it is just for a few weeks, as they have already proven their importance so far.

Olise and Eze make up two of their top four scorers this campaign, and showcased their match-winning capabilities by scoring all three goals in their 3-2 comeback win over the Blades.

To be missing that in another relegation battle could prove pivotal, whilst affording Dyche some additional room to manoeuvre without the threat they pose.

Whilst a win would not see them instantly leapfrog the south London side, it would bring them to within two points of their relegation rivals, and make for an extremely nervy final few months of football.