Everton injury round-up

Currently the Toffees are without six regular squad members, the fourth highest in the Premier League, however good news is on the horizon as many look to make an imminent return.

Joseph Yobo is out with a muscle strain in his thigh, suffered in training before the Europa League game with BATE Borisov. The good news is that he is expected to be fit for the next league fixture when Everton host Wolverhampton at Goodison on the 17th of October. The defender has indeed joined up with the Nigerian squad for Sunday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Mozambique, yet it remains to be seen whether he will take part in the game.

“Yobo has arrived for the game,” top team official Emmanuel Attah said. “However, it is only the doctor who can ascertain his level of his fitness and tell us whether he is fit to play on Sunday.”

Steven Pienaar is also to return in time for the Wolves game after the incident at Fratton Park where he clashed, ironically, with national team captain Aaron Mokoena. He has withdrawn from South Africa’s next two international friendly games but should feature for Everton on the 17th. Speaking exclusively to Everton TV, head physio Mick Rathbone is confident their recoveries are almost complete.

“Steven got head-butted on the inside of the knee against Portsmouth and it was just unfortunate it caught him right on the medial ligament!” he explained.

“He can use the exercise bike but it is pretty sore.  I would though expect him to be there or thereabouts for the Wolves game.”

Yobo also missed the matches with BATE Borisov and Stoke City because of a thigh strain suffered in training over in Minsk.

“It was so, so minor,” explains Rathbone, “but if you do an injury like that the night before a game it doesn’t give you a lot of time to recover.

“Joe has gone off with the Nigerian squad as they’ve got a very important game against Mozambique on Sunday and I think he will be fit for that.”

Meanwhile, there’s also good news for Phil Neville after a knee specialist confirmed it’s unlikely the Blues captain will need surgery.

“The surgeon has seen Phil twice now.  He was 90 percent certain he didn’t need surgery on the first visit and now he is 99 percent certain Phil doesn’t need an operation. You can never say never, but the way Phil is going in his rehabilitation we’re happy he is going to do well.

“He’s been on the bike today and the cross skier and he is telling me he is running tomorrow which was a bit of a shock to me because that is not in the schedule!  But he is doing well and we are really happy with him.”

The original return date for club captain Neville was to be in the New Year, roughly the 10th of January, with the away trip to the Emirates in mind. However with his determination and willingness to recover, the Goodison faithful may be fortunate enough to see him much sooner.

It is slightly more difficult to determine the return dates for dynamic pair Mikel Arteta and Phil Jagielka. Both are crucial to the success of the Toffees this season. A fact not lost on manager David Moyes.

“I think November-ish is when we are looking at getting them back in,” said Moyes.

“Phil Jagielka is doing well and we would probably think about November with some luck, and Mikel is about the same.”

This is great news for Everton fans with initial reports suggesting Arteta would not feature till December and Jagielka would find it tough to return in time for the November fixtures.

Moyes also gave some positive news on striker Victor Anichebe. The Nigerian damaged his knee ligaments quite severely as a result of a horrific tackle by Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan in the sides 0-0 draw back in February. The 21-year-old is seen as an important player in the Everton set-up and would add to the already potent strike force at Moyes’ mercy. He is anticipated to return within the coming weeks.

The news bodes well for all involved with Everton, as the returning players, combined with the new recruits, and already established spine ,can be likened to a top-four squad list rather than a mid-table one.

By Joshua Kepreotis