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Post by evertonfan1968 on Nov 25, 2021 12:15:00 GMT
No strikers fit so will Benitez play Rondon again despite him being a carthorse or finally give one of the under 23 players a go?
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Post by Everton News. on Nov 25, 2021 14:35:46 GMT
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Post by Everton News. on Nov 25, 2021 18:08:21 GMT
Team News Update
Everton boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed Abdoulaye Doucoure has returned to full training and could feature in Sunday’s Premier League clash at Brentford (2pm GMT).
The Blues boss added Demarai Gray has resumed light training after sustaining a groin injury in last weekend’s game against Manchester City and his availability will be assessed ahead of the match in west London.
Benitez explained Yerry Mina is progressing well in his recovery from a hamstring problem but is “not yet ready”.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains sidelined as he continues his rehabilitation from a quadriceps injury.
Midfield duo Tom Davies (knee) and Andre Gomes (calf) are still out, while Mason Holgate and Richarlison are both unavailable through suspension.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, Benitez said: “Doucoure was doing light training today, so he could be available. I think he has a chance.
“Because he had a metatarsal injury, if it [Doucoure’s foot] is fine, then he is fine. It is not a muscle problem where we have to be careful so you do not overload.
“We have to be sure he is healed and he is confident. If he is like that, while it is always a risk when you come back from injury, it is not a massive risk.
“Demarai was doing a light training session today, very light, so we will see if he can be available. It [the injury] was less than we were expecting.
“Yerry is doing well but still not ready. Dominic is also not ready yet.”
With Richarlison suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season against City, Benitez was asked how he will approach selecting a side without the Brazilian and fellow attacker Calvert-Lewin.
“At the moment, we have two experienced strikers – Cenk Tosun and Salomon Rondon – available and a young player, Simms, who was injured and is coming back,” the Everton manager added.
“Normally, these kind of games are ones for players with experience and the senior players have more chance [of playing].”
Benitez also explained how he has been encouraged by the work being undertaken behind the scenes at USM Finch Farm in rehabilitating injured players and preventing further issues.
He said: “If you analyse now, we are doing much better in terms of injuries compared to the past.
“We have fewer injuries and we are getting better in this department. Players like [Fabian] Delph, [Jean-Philippe] Gbamin and Tosun, who have been injured for a long time, are now training every day.
“We are bringing players back.
“The problem is we have had key players injured, and this was affecting the results.”
Everton FC
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Post by jimmy on Nov 26, 2021 11:04:30 GMT
No strikers fit so will Benitez play Rondon again despite him being a carthorse or finally give one of the under 23 players a go? I think this will be a goalless draw myself.
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Post by rugbytoffee on Nov 26, 2021 15:03:06 GMT
TEAM NEWS Brentford will have forward Yoane Wissa available for selection again following an ankle injury.
Mads Sorensen and Mathias Jensen are both back in contention but Mathias Jorgensen is likely to miss out.
Everton manager Rafael Benitez may welcome back Demarai Gray, whose muscle injury is not as serious as first feared.
Abdoulaye Doucoure will also face a fitness test, while Richarlison and Mason Holgate are suspended.
Yerry Mina, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Andre Gomes and Tom Davies are all still out.
MATCH FACTS Head-to-head
This is the first league fixture between Everton and Brentford since 1954, when the Toffees won 6-1 at home in the second tier. Brentford's penalty shoot-out triumph in the League Cup in 2010 was the most recent meeting between the clubs. Brentford
Brentford's draw at Newcastle United last weekend ended a run of four defeats. They are winless in five Premier League home games, losing the past three. Only 31% of their points have come at home - the lowest ratio of any top-flight team. Brentford conceded just two goals in their opening five Premier League fixtures but have let in 15 in the subsequent seven. The Bees have conceded an unrivalled 11 goals in the first half of Premier League games this season. Rico Henry has scored in consecutive Premier League matches for Brentford, having netted just twice in his first 120 league appearances. Everton
Everton are winless in six Premier League games, their worst run since January 2018 under Sam Allardyce. Their tally of two points from those six matches is a league low. Everton have won five of their last six Premier League games in London, matching their total number of victories from the previous 32 visits. They have won five successive Premier League away fixtures against promoted opposition.
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