Everton are in line for a massive triple injury boost as they prepare to face Brighton on Saturday, with defensive trio Ramiro Funes Mori, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka all fit.
The Toffees welcome the Seagulls to Goodison Park after two disappointing losses on the trot, the first being a 1-0 loss to Watford before a 2-1 defeat by Burnley last weekend.
Argentina international Funes Mori has not played for the club in a whole year, after undergoing an operation on a serious knee injury, and is ready to make his return after playing for the development side.
Left-back Baines has been missing since the end of November with a calf injury that has seen him miss 17 matches for the Toffees, and returned to the bench against Burnley, being fully fit now to start against Brighton.
Veteran enforcer Jagielka has missed the past four games through injury, and he is also now ready to make his return as the Toffees seek a win that would take them back into the top half of the table.
Sam Allardyce confirmed the news in the pre-match press conference, as reported by the club’s official Twitter account on Thursday morning:
? | @funesmoriofi25, @PJags06 and Leighton Baines all fit for the visit of @OfficialBHAFC.
LIVE ? https://t.co/aY6625XH3E
— Everton (@Everton) March 8, 2018
OPINION
All three will provide a massive boost to Everton in the coming weeks. Funes Mori has been missing for around a year and will inject new life into an Everton defence that has been lacking in recent games. Baines is another that has been sorely missed during his absence, and he should slot straight in at left-back on Saturday. Jagielka is so experienced, and that will also help the Toffees as they look to finish seventh in what has been a terrible season for them.