Everton will be without two of their summer signings for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Southampton, it has been confirmed.
Marco Silva revealed at his media conference at lunchtime on Friday, as quoted by the official Toffees Twitter account, that defender Yerry Mina and midfielder Andre Gomes are unavailable due to injury.
But Richarlison has overcome fears he could miss out and is available for selection, while Kurt Zouma is also available after missing the 2-2 draw against Wolves last weekend.
? | Marco Silva confirms @richarlison97 is fit for tomorrow's game against @SouthamptonFC.@KurtZouma is also available but @aftgomes and Yerry Mina will miss out. #EFC
? LIVE: https://t.co/wsG5CBzvyd pic.twitter.com/xFBbbY3gAT
— Everton (@Everton) August 17, 2018
OPINION
It is a major blow for Everton that they will not be able to call upon centre-back Mina for the first time in the 3pm Goodison Park kick-off against Mark Hughes’ visitors. The £28million deadline-day signing from Barcelona is expected to be Everton’s new defensive leader after showing his class in the World Cup for Colombia, including in the last-16 clash against England. Zouma will come straight into the reckoning and could start alongside Michael Keane. The loan signing from Chelsea is certainly an upgrade on veteran Phil Jagielka, who delivered a mixed display against Wolves last weekend. As for Gomes, the third of Everton’s three recruits from Barcelona this summer, he revealed on Twitter last week he would miss the first three weeks of the campaign, so his absence against Southampton was to be expected. It means Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye are set to continue their partnership in the middle of the pitch.