Everton will most likely be without two key defenders for their Premier League clash with Watford on Saturday evening.
Toffees boss Sam Allardyce revealed the double injury blow at the pre-match press conference on Friday, confirming that January signing Eliaquim Mangala was definitely ruled out, while Seamus Coleman was a serious doubt.
Manchester City loanee Mangala limped off during the club’s recent 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, and it is thought he will be out long-term with knee ligament damage.
Coleman made his return from 10 months out with a broken leg against Leicester at the end of January, but is now a doubt for this weekend’s clash through injury.
Allardyce did however reveal that stalwart Leighton Baines has a chance of making the squad with the England international being absent since December with a calf complaint.
Everton’s official Twitter account quoted Allardyce on Friday morning:
SA: "Mangala is out and Seamus Coleman looks like he will be struggling as well – but Leighton Baines has a chance of being in the squad for @WatfordFC." #EFC
— Everton (@Everton) February 23, 2018
Allardyce did provide a small update on Mangala’s injury, saying: “We’re taking a second opinion on Mangala’s injury. It’s a very difficult thing to assess in terms of how long it will take at this early stage. We have to judge it week-by-week.”
SA: "We're taking a second opinion on @Elia22Mangala's injury. It's a very difficult thing to assess in terms of how long it will take at this early stage. We have to judge it week-by-week." #EFC
— Everton (@Everton) February 23, 2018
OPINION
Mangala’s injury is a big blow to Everton, as it essentially means one of their January signings is now out for most of the season. The hope was for Mangala to become a regular at centre-back for the club, but it now looks like his Toffees career is basically over before it begun. Coleman’s injury is a blow as well, but it doesn’t sound serious, and Jonjoe Kenny has deputised brilliantly this season.