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Everton boss gives important injury updates ahead of Newcastle game

By Matt Townsend

Everton's Senegalese-born Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana reacts during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on April 3, 2023. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton's Senegalese-born Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana reacts during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on April 3, 2023. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Sean Dyche will make a final decision on two of his key Everotn players before Thursday evening’s clash against Newcastle United at Goodison Park.

Those players are Seamus Coleman and Amadou Onana. Both were missing from last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace after picking up injuries recently.

Of the two, Coleman’s at first seemed the most significant and it was always touch and go whether he would be available again for Everton in time for tomorrow’s match.

Onana’s absence wasn’t it seemed as important but now he might also be unable to play against the Magpies’.

Dyche has said both have been ‘on the grass’ and training so might make it. This line is one we’ve heard from the Blues’ manager before, especially in the context of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s endless fitness issues.

Given this background and the importance of the game, I would be surprised if either player made it into Dyche’s team when the final eleven is announced tomorrow evening unless they are fully fit.

If so, then who could or should play in their places?

The easiest decision for me is who replaces Coleman. That should be Nathan Patterson who is the obvious choice as he is of course a fellow full-back.

Patterson had performed well when he got his chance at the start of the current campaign, when Coleman was also out hurt.

The young Scottish international proved to be defensively sound and offered an attacking outlet overlapping effectively on the flank as is his instinct.

Replacing Onana is a more difficult decision. The Belgian midfielder has had an up and down time on Merseyside since joining the club last summer, finding it tough to get up to speed with the pace of the Premier League at first..

At times since he has looked a really powerful and dynamic modern all-round midfielder and has been a key player for Everton.

There have also though been games when he has again struggled to make a consistent impact and has played in a mistake-strewn and erratic way. Perhaps none of this is really unexpected given his youth and lack of experience.

Onana has now become a more important figure since Dyche took over as the new manager went with a 4-5-1 formation.

He, Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure have been key in that system giving the Toffees’ a solid central midfield base.

So, if he is out tomorrow I think that James Garner should retain his place in the team with Dyche sticking to his formula.

Although he’s not an exact like-for-like replacement, Garner offers some similar qualities and seems to me the best alternative option available.

Whoever Dyche does decide to go with if these players are absent, Everton have to find a way to win tomorrow’s massive match.