EVERTON have been dealt a devastating injury blow with Abdoulaye Doucoure out for TEN weeks with a fractured foot.
Carlo Ancelotti’s hopes of a top-four finish have taken a huge hit after the diagnosis this week, with Doucoure becoming a key player following his £20million move from Watford last summer.
Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure is out for 10 weeks with a fractured footCredit: PA:Press Association
The Frenchman, 28, has played 30 games in all competitions this term for Ancelotti.
But he missed the defeat by Chelsea on Monday, and scans have now revealed the seriousness of his setback.
Ancelotti said: “Doucoure has a small fracture on his foot and so he has to stay out. I don’t know how long, maybe eight weeks, maybe ten.
“I hope he can recover before the end of the season, we are not happy for this.
“Doucoure did really, he is an important player for us, but we are not the only club that has to manage injuries.
“In this period there are a lot of injuries and we have to manage this.”
Doucoure’s fine form has helped Everton to sixth place in the Premier League table, with just four points separating them from the Champions League spots.
But the foot injury he sustained against West Brom earlier this month will keep him out.
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James Rodriguez is also out injured until after the international breakCredit: PA:Press Association
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Ancelotti also revealed James Rodriguez will not be available until after the international break.
He added: “James played really well against Man United and Liverpool but he was not 100 per cent fit.
“We decided to give him a proper recovery and don’t let him play at 70 or 80 per cent.
“We have taken this decision together and the player agrees.”
Chelsea v Everton as it happened
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
