EVERTON have been dealt a huge injury blow with news that Abdoulaye Doucoure has suffered a serious foot problem.
A club statement said the Frenchman had a ‘stress response in a bone in his foot’ with reports suggesting he faces around six to seven weeks on the sidelines.
Doucoure has been a key figure in Rafa Benitez’s squad so far this season and seemed to be thriving in a more advanced role for the Toffees.
The 28-year-old has already chipped in with two goals and four assists so far this term.
He missed seven games last season with another foot problem and faces a similar spell in the treatment room this time round.
The good news for Benitez is that early indications suggest the injury is only a stress fracture and not a full break.
But Doucoure’s absence will leave the Spaniard with a headache in the middle of the park.
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His options are currently limited with both Fabian Delph and Andre Gomes also crocked.
That means either Tom Davies or Jean-Philippe Gbamin is likely to feature in the starting XI to face Watford on Saturday.
Everton face a packed schedule beyond that as they host Tottenham before travelling to the Etihad to face Manchester City.
And the Merseyside Derby looms large on the horizon with Liverpool making the trip to Goodison Park on December 1st.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
