Everton will have Idrissa Gueye available for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham after Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations exit, though the Toffees could be without four other first-team regulars.
Everton have been hampered by selection issues in recent weeks, and James Garner was the only recognised central midfielder to start their goalless draw at Fulham on Tuesday.
Dwight McNeil filled in alongside him, with Gueye representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations and both Abdoulaye Doucoure and Amadou Onana out injured.
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While Gueye could start Saturday’s game after Senegal suffered a surprise last-16 elimination at the hands of Ivory Coast, Everton continue to harbour doubts over Doucoure and Onana, as well as winger Arnaut Danjuma and full-back Seamus Coleman.
Speaking at Thursday’s pre-match press conference, Dyche said of Gueye: “He’s recovering today and he’ll be in tomorrow morning.
“He was released to full fitness so he’s all good. He’s certainly in contention, yeah, but we’ve had to give him a down day due to the travelling.
The boss says Idrissa Gana Gueye is in contention for Saturday’s squad following his return from #AFCON2023.#EVETOT 🔵 #EFC PIC.TWITTER.COM/HYDFV2MMNJ
— Everton (@Everton) FEBRUARY 1, 2024
“Douc’s on the grass but not with us yet, so he’s unlikely. We had a knock to Arnie, the game is coming up quickly so he’s a doubt.
“Amadou’s still a doubt, he’s touch and go. Seamus is getting more training in, so his injury has all been good but it’s about getting back up to true match fitness, so he’s a maybe.
“[Ashley] Young did great the other night, playing his first minutes in a long time. He’s come through that and we’re happy with it.
“So there are still ifs and buts, they’re not quite fully fit and we’ll have to make decisions on them in the next 24 hours.”
Dyche was speaking on transfer deadline day, and though Luton Town’s 4-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion plunged Everton into the relegation zone on Tuesday, the former Burnley boss was not anticipating any late moves.
Asked if he expected Everton to secure any last-minute signings, Dyche said: “I doubt it, I don’t even think it’s probable. It’s improbable that anyone comes in today.”
