Prince Rupert's Tower
Fansided

Allan injury latest blow to Everton

By Matt Townsend

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Paul Pogba of Manchester United is challenged by Allan of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on November 07, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Paul Pogba of Manchester United is challenged by Allan of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on November 07, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Brazil midfielder Allan is again a casualty as the Everton player is to miss his country’s next international game against Uruguay with a ‘clinical injury’.

We don’t know exactly what that means but it sounds pretty ominous to me and it seems likely then that the 29-year-old will not only miss Brazil’s next match but also be absent when Everton take on Fulham on Saturday.

It’s the latest injury setback and comes just a few days after Seamus Coleman aggravated his ongoing injury when training for Ireland’s game with England last week.

Both players had picked up an earlier injury and due to the back-to-back nature of fixtures at the moment, neither seem to have had enough time to fully recover making them vulnerable to the problem getting worse.

Allan has been an ever-present in the Everton midfield since he signed from Napoli in the summer. Alongside another new recruit Abdoulaye Doucoure, the Brazil international has provided much improved defensive cover and protection in the middle.

However, along with several other Toffees players, Allan has been troubled by a recent injury and has struggled to reproduce his best form since.

The constant round of injuries and knocks to players who then don’t seem to have enough chance to fully recover their fitness and overcome any residual fatigue is becoming an ever-present issue for the Blues.

More from Prince Rupert's Tower

If Allan is unable to play on Saturday along with Coleman, Everton will once more be critically weakened in a game which I feel the Toffees really have to win to get their faltering season back on track.

And these ongoing problems could be compounded by James Rodriguez not being at his best either as he too tries to overcome his knock from the derby against Liverpool.

So if Allan is unfit to play on Saturday how do Everton cope? I think perhaps the best short-term solution would be giving Mason Hogate another game in midfield.

Holgate has played there before under caretaker coach Duncan Ferguson and did well enough. With his pace, defensive qualities and excellent ability on the ball, he can do a job there.

Perhaps this move would allow Carlo Ancelotti to give new signing Ben Godfrey a chance to play in central defence alongside Micheal Keane.