Now that he is eligible, Idrissa Gana Gueye might face Liverpool.
The midfielder was named to Senegal’s bench for their friendly match against Cameroon yesterday, and according to writer Joe Thomas, he has recovered from the heel injury he sustained before the Bournemouth match.
Gueye had been listed in the starting lineup for Everton’s match against Bournemouth last time out before being forced to leave due to a heel problem that had flared up during the warm-up. Gueye had started each of Everton’s seven Premier League games this season.
Since then, there has been speculation that the 34-year-old could miss this weekend’s Merseyside Derby and be sidelined for a few weeks, but his inclusion in the Senegal squad now means he will be able to travel to Anfield.
Gueye is most certainly going to be available for the match against Liverpool, but it’s not clear if he’ll really start.
As the Cherries put three past Andoni Iraola’s team, Amadou Onana stepped in and put on a strong performance. If there are no other injuries, it would be odd if Sean Dyche decided to switch the starting lineup.
Gueye needed to be benched against Liverpool anyhow.
Idrissa Gana Gueye may be left out of the Everton manager’s ideal three-man midfield, which he has been hunting for all season.
The veteran hasn’t exactly been at his best in the first few months of the season and may not have earned his spot in the starting lineup, but Dyche was left with few options due to a lack of other options.
Gueye will have to struggle to reclaim his spot in the team, and if he wants to make an impact this season, he can’t continue his previous pattern of underwhelming play.