Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur: Major Injury Update ahead of the opening fixture

With just a few hours to go before the big day, it’s time for a quick Everton injury report and see who will and  who won’t be playing against Tottenham Hotspur.

Even though Everton’s last Premier League game was only 49 days ago, against now relegated Bournemouth, it feels like an absolute eternity has passed. The constant refreshing of Twitter and news feeds to see who is being bought and sold, what the new kits will look like and who will be joining up to play in the top flight of football this year from the Championship.

Well the wait is finally over, the transfer market is still raging on with a hotbed of rumours, but that’s for another article altogether. Luckily for Everton, for the first time in a while, there seems to be mainly good news when it comes to injuries. Usually, the injuries list is as long as your arm when it comes to, what seems like, one of the unluckiest clubs in the league.

During Thursday’s press conference,  Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has said both Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes will both be fit for the journey to Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend and Fabian Delph is a potential, but still awaiting a late fitness check.

Yerry Mina was previously sidelined for several weeks due to a muscle injury and Gomes picked up a niggle during international duty, whilst playing for Portugal. Luckily both are now fighting fit and will be included in the squad.

Sadly though the new number 4, Mason Holgate, is out due to a toe injury he sustained during the match against Preston on 5th September and was later seen walking away on crutches. Liverpool Echo has confirmed that Mason Holgate could be sidelined for up to six weeks, a huge blow for the Toffees.

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With Mason Holgate out it leaves space for a potential start, or at least a substitute opportunity, for Jarrad Branthwaite. Although there is a more likely start for both Michael Keane, who recently signed a 5 year deal, and Yerry Mina in the centre.

With Gomes and the entire rest of the midfield fit to play, it will be very interesting to see where and when Everton’s three new signings, Rodriguez, Allan and Doucoure will fit into the squad. Will Ancelotti want to create an immediate impact and have all three start with a 4-3-3 formation? Or will he ease all three of them in over the course of the 90 minutes?

Remember it’s only Doucoure who has previous Premier League experience, both Allan and Rodriguez will need time get used to the very physical league compared to what they’re used to.

I for one hope Ancelotti gives all three signings at least some minutes against Tottenham Hotspur to take in their new surroundings and you never know, score an absolute stunner. COYB!