Everton fans are reeling today following a disastrous injury update on Jack Grealish.
On Tuesday, Everton confirmed that Grealish had sustained a foot injury, which had supporters panicking.
And today, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Grealish is set to miss around three months having sustained a stress fracture.
Who would you play at left wing in place of the injured Jack Grealish? 🤔
The winger is reportedly facing THREE months out – do Everton need to sign a replacement?
It is a hammer blow for David Moyes, with Grealish having had a fairly successful time so far on loan.
The winger has been a source of creativity on that left side, and while his form has dipped recently, it’s clear he’s a player who makes things happen.
His injury could well help Tyler Dibling, who has struggled for game time. But there is another player in Everton’s squad who could be affected by Grealish’s absence.
Dwight McNeil surely going nowhere after Jack Grealish injury
Dwight McNeil has come in for a lot of criticism again this season for his performances.
McNeil has made 17 appearances across all competitions, but supplied just one assist. He is still yet to score this term.
As a result, there’s been talk of him leaving in this window. Indeed, Nottingham Forest were linked with a move for McNeil.
But the picture looks to have changed now in light of Grealish’s injury, because there is simply no way the Toffees can let a wide man depart in the current circumstances.
Moyes only has McNeil, Dibling and Iliman Ndiaye at his disposal now. Adam Aznou could also be an option, but he has barely played and is a full-back by trade.
If anything, Everton need to be adding to their squad, not taking away from it further.
Perhaps there would have been scope for McNeil to leave if Everton could have signed a replacement.
The likes of Noa Lang and Patrick Wimmer have been linked with Everton recently. Harry Wilson is another player Everton have looked at.
But offloading McNeil now is surely completely off the table.
McNeil now has a big part to play for Everton
McNeil is likely to get a decent amount of minutes while Grealish is in the treatment room – and he simply has to step up.
Moyes clearly isn’t fully sold on Dibling yet, so McNeil – you would think – will be Grealish’s replacement to begin with.
How much could Everton sell Dwight McNeil for?
Some of his performances this season haven’t been good enough, and he needs to increase his output.
McNeil may well have been offloaded had Grealish not picked up this injury, but his stay at the club will no doubt be prolonged now.
Hopefully, he will rise to the occasion.
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