Team News: Hodgson confirms ‘two major boosts’ pre-Everton – News

The 21-year-old winger, who topped the charts for assists among Under-21s players in Europe’s top-five leagues last season, has been sidelined due to an injury sustained while on international duty in the off-season.

Fortunately, in a recent pre-match press conference, Hodgson announced the winger’s return to availability for the first time this season. This news comes on the heels of Ebere Eze’s comeback against Burnley last week, adding to the positive developments for the team.

Hodgson stated, “Ebere Eze played for 30 minutes at Burnley and came through that well, and has trained all this week, so he’s available for selection. Michael Olise had some modified training last week, but he’s trained with us fully this week as well, so he’s another one I’ll have in the squad available for selection. That’s two major boosts.”

He also added, “[Cheick] Doucouré hasn’t trained his week until today, but he has come through today’s training, so he’s also available. Really, the only players we don’t have at the moment are Dean Henderson, with his long-term muscle injury; [James] Tomkins, who will be back after the international break; and the unfortunate Jes Rak-Sakyi.”

“We’re waiting on a scan in 10 days for him to see how the injury he’s picked up has… ‘progressed’ is the wrong word, but how the injury has either got better or not got better. Then, we’ll have a clear idea of how long we’ll have to accept being without him.”