Andre Gomes missed training on Thursday and is now a doubt for Everton’s trip to Old Trafford on Saturday to take on Manchester United
Andre Gomes is a doubt for Everton’s trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on Saturday.
The midfielder did not train with the first team on Thursday as a precaution after picking up an issue in the week. Staff are set to assess a calf problem at Finch Farm on Friday before making a decision on his availability for the weekend.
Should he miss the match, it would be the latest blow for a player who has shown he can support Sean Dyche’s first-team plans but who has repeatedly suffered setbacks since earning minutes in pre-season.
Gomes came off the bench against West Ham United at the weekend after returning from his latest problem.
The 30-year-old has suffered a rough season after appearing to revive a career disrupted by injury with a positive loan spell at French side Lille. Dyche was ready to give him a chance in the summer and Gomes was named in the matchday squad for the Premier League opener against Fulham.
A series of injuries and setbacks then left him unable to contribute until the defeat at Tottenham Hotspur days before Christmas, when he emerged from the bench to change the game and score one goal and almost set up two more as he led a brave Everton attempt to come back from two early goals.
Gomes scored early in the new year when his free-kick proved enough to send the Blues past Crystal Palace and into the FA Cup fourth round in the Goodison Park replay. A calf injury halted his momentum once more before his return last week.
With Idrissa Gueye also a doubt due to a groin injury that saw him miss the West Ham game, Gomes’ availability would have been useful to Dyche, who will not have a senior central midfielder on the bench on Saturday should neither player recover in time.
