OPINION
Everton welcome Crystal Palace to Goodison Park on Sunday as the Premier League returns after the international break, and the Toffees have one important injury concern.
Midfield enforcer Idrissa Gueye limped off during Senegal’s 3-0 win over Sudan during the break, with the 29-year-old confirmed by Marco Silva to be a doubt for tomorrow’s clash.
However, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, Gueye has trained with the rest of the squad on Saturday as he pushes to be included against the Eagles.
Now, while it may be a blow to see Gueye sit out one game, it would be a season-defining loss if he were to aggravate his injury and face an extended spell on the sidelines.
Should he be risked by Silva on Sunday and that happen, then Everton will be in real trouble moving forward with their midfield talisman missing.
It may be extremely tempting for Silva to start Gueye on Sunday, but he must break Everton’s fans hearts and rest the Senegal international for the visit of Palace.
The Toffees have plenty of other options to replace him in the starting XI, with players like Morgan Schneiderlin and summer signing Andre Gomes both ready-made alternatives.
There is no getting away from how important Gueye is for this Everton side, and if they are to make anything of their season he needs to be fit for as much of the season as possible.
If that means he must miss out against Palace, that must happen, with the Toffees surely still having enough firepower to beat the Eagles at home without him.