Everton manager Sean Dyche reveals Lewis Dobbin will be out for the foreseeable future after injuring ankle ligaments in training during the international break.
Everton youngster Lewis Dobbin has picked up an ankle injury that will sideline him for the next few weeks.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed significantly more first-team action this season, making 14 appearances for Everton so far.
Dobbin also netted his first senior goal for the club in a win over Chelsea at Goodison Park in December, grabbing Everton’s second in stoppage time in the 2-0 success.
However, the attacker has struggled to break into the side on a consistent basis ahead of Dwight McNeil, instead being restricted to cameos off the bench.
That will not be possible for the next few games though, as Dobbin is set to spend some time on the treatment table after picking up an injury in training during the international break.
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Dobbin suffers “freak” injury, but does not require surgery
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Everton’s trip to Bournemouth, manager Sean Dyche revealed the extent of Dobbin’s injury.
While the young forward has damaged ankle ligaments, surgery will not be required despite initial fears it was a serious injury.
The Everton boss could not give a timeframe on a potential return, but the player is set for some time out of the team.
Dyche said: “It is better news than we thought. He hurt his ankle and was very unlucky – he fell over, landed on someone’s foot and it tilted his ankle. We thought it might need an operation, it doesn’t, which is good news, so now it is just the timescales of getting him back.”
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Who else is missing for Everton ahead of the trip to Bournemouth?
Having not played competitively for three weeks since a 2-0 defeat away to Manchester United, the extended break has given Everton time to welcome back some players who had been struggling with injury.
Both Idrissa Gueye and Seamus Coleman are available for selection once more as both have been in and out of the squad over the past few games.
Gueye missed Everton’s last two matches, but played 63 minutes for Senegal in their win over Benin on Tuesday.
Coleman was on the bench at Old Trafford and was not risked, but after playing two sets of 90 minutes for the Republic of Ireland, the Everton skipper will be in contention to start here.
The news is not as good for Arnaut Danjuma though, as he remains out injured after sustaining an ankle injury against Fulham back in January.
“Arnie is only just back out on the grass with us. He’s well, but [it was] literally his first training session with us. He’s going to need a bit of time to make sure he’s right.” Dyche revealed.
That leaves Everton light on wide options with Dobbin’s injury added to the mix, so Jack Harrison and McNeil are set to start again in wide midfield for the Toffees on Saturday.
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