Everton top scorer Abdoulaye Doucoure is close to rejoining the squad after missing 10 of the Toffees’ past 11 matches, manager Sean Dyche says.
Mali midfielder Doucoure’s six goals make him Everton’s leading marksman despite being absent for six Premier League matches this season as part of a series of injuries to hit Dyche’s squad.
“Hopefully, Doucs gets back with the group,” said Dyche, adding that Seamus Coleman had continued his recovery by featuring in the 2-0 defeat at Manchester City on Saturday.
“[Doucoure’s] been building into that. Amadou Onana worked well when he came on, so we are beginning to get the group back to full fitness.
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“That, hopefully, is going to be the last of these groups of injuries. [If] we can keep everyone fitter for longer, it will give us a way better chance of challenging ourselves for the rest of the season.”
Arnaut Danjuma, Andre Gomes and Dele Alli will all remain out for a “further prolonged period”, a club update said, but Ashley Young has made a full return from a muscle injury which kept him out for nine matches.
Everton vs Crystal Palace: Dyche wants ‘moments’
Everton are a point shy of fourth-bottom Luton Town and two behind 16th-placed Nottingham Forest, having been deducted 10 points earlier this season over profitability and sustainability rules.
Out-of-form Crystal Palace arrive at Goodison Park on Monday as part of a run of four games against clubs outside of the top five for Dyche’s side before the visit of Liverpool on March 17.
“The key is that transitional moment,” said Dyche, who has not overseen a top-flight win in seven matches as part of a run of one victory in 11 games in all competitions.
“How can we go that one better? I felt Saturday’s performance was leading towards that – but can you find those moments?
“It’s very rare you go to somewhere like City and win by making 50 of those moments. You have to find the key moments and, unfortunately, that was lacking.
“But a lot of the basics were very good and on show. We have to keep adapting and learning.”
