Everton should be just about safe in the Premier League relegation battle but that hasn’t stopped the pressure intensifying on Toffees boss Sam Allardyce.
Allardyce had walked away from football when he left Crystal Palace before this season began but was tempted back in when Bill Kenwright came calling after the sacking of Ronald Koeman with the club in danger of relegation.
It was seen as a final chance for the experienced manager to prove that he can make something of a big club with solid resources but he has reverted to type.
His unambitious and dour football has tightened the Toffees up to the extent that they shouldn’t go down but it hasn’t inspired the Goodison Park faithful at all.
They looking for someone else to come in during the summer but it cannot be denied that Everton are still lacking some key players through injury.
We’ve had a look at when the club might expect them back, as per Premier Injuries, so read on…
When was Stekelenburg injured?: He underwent groin surgery in November and is still yet to return.
Potential return date: 31/03/18
Has he been missed?: Jordan Pickford was brought in to be number one goalkeeper, which has meant that the Dutchman has not been sorely missed. The former Sunderland goalkeeper can still improve but he would still be in the team ahead of Stekelenburg if both men were fit.
When was Holgate injured?: He was called into the England Under-21 squad for the forthcoming internationals but pulled out after it was revealed that he required ankle surgery.
Has he been missed?: He would be a big miss for Allardyce if he was out for any length of time. He adds much-needed pace and athleticism to an aging Everton defence and can play at centre-half and right-back. Big Sam wouldn’t want to be without him for too long.
When was Mangala injured?: He picked up a knee injury in the win over Crystal Palace in February.
What the manager said: On February 18, Allardyce said: “That looks like it could be long term.”
Has he been missed?: Mangala was brought in to sure up a leaky Everton rearguard but that hasn’t quite materialised. He looked shaky in his opening games, so in that respect, the Frenchman will not be missed greatly. However, Allardyce will have had big plans for Mangala to tighten up his defence and now will not get the opportunity to see those through.
When was Davies injured?: He has a neck injury but that didn’t stop him starting the last game against Stoke.
Has he been missed?: Davies, much like Holgate, adds energy and verve to this Everton side that is otherwise sorely lacking. He is not the finished article and can sometimes become overrun in matches but he is still important to what Allardyce is trying to do.
When was Gueye injured?: Gueye had to pull out of international duty with Senegal this week.
What the manager said: On March 23, Senegal boss Aliou Cisse said: “Gana had a muscle tear when he came over. I had wanted him to be in my team, but I think he will be out for three weeks.”
Potential return date: 14/04/18
Has he been missed?: With crunch home matches against Manchester City and Liverpool coming up, Gueye is exactly the kind of combative character Allardyce would like to call upon. With Morgan Schneiderlin still dogged by poor form, his importance is further amplified.
When was Sigurdsson injured?: He picked up a knee injury in the home win over Brighton earlier this month.
Potential return date: 05/05/18
What the manager said: On March 15, when it was put to him that Sigurdsson would be out for the season, Big Sam said: “Someone gave out the wrong statement. It can be less than that.
“Whoever gave that statement out is going to get a b********g today. You cannot predict a length of injury in its entirety because you have people who heal quicker.
“Obviously Gylfi’s recovery time could be shorter than we might expect. Medics and specialists give a conservative view and you try to beat that and try to get Gylfi back as soon as you can.”
Has he been missed?: He has had his teething problems in his first Goodison season but despite that, the Icelandic international is still the most creative influence on this Everton side. He adds assists, goals and quality distribution to a squad that lacks those characteristics.