Everton Boss Provides Team News Update

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Everton will be without established full-backs Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman for Saturday’s clash with Leeds United at Goodison Park (5.30pm GMT).

Ancelotti says Digne will be out for “around two or three months” after suffering an ankle ligament injury during a training session at USM Finch Farm this week.

The left-back will undergo surgery on Monday before commencing his rehabilitation under the care of the Club’s medical staff.

Coleman remains sidelined having sustained an injury while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland. Ancelotti says he is hopeful Coleman will return to full fitness soon and says his availability will be assessed "week by week".

The Everton boss added Jonjoe Kenny is "not 100 per cent fit" having recovered from an ankle problem but says the Academy graduate is in contention to feature against Leeds.

Midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin, meanwhile, is continuing his rehabilitation from an Achilles injury and is expected back in First Team training in two weeks.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference at USM Finch Farm on Friday afternoon, Ancelotti admitted losing a player of Digne's calibre for an extended period is a blow for his side.

Coleman's absence means Everton are currently without their two most experienced full-backs but Ancelotti insists the Blues boast the squad depth to "adapt to this situation".

"It is a big loss, because Lucas is a fantastic left-back," Ancelotti said. "One of the best in Europe.

"It is a loss, but we have to manage this.

"Unfortunately, during the season it can happen, you can lose some important players.

"I think we will be able to adapt to the loss of Lucas for two or three months.


"Seamus is doing his individual rehab and he will not be available for the Leeds game.

"But we have a good squad, we have good substitutes in that position [full-back].

"We have Niels Nkounkou, who doesn’t have experience in the Premier League, but he has shown good quality in the games he has played.

"We have Jonjoe on the right. He recovered from his injury, which was not an easy injury. He is not at 100 per cent but is available to play

"I think he is not at his best [physically] in this moment because we was out for three weeks. But now he is training with the team and soon he will be at 100 per cent."

Midfielder Gbamin, meanwhile, continues to make good progress as he closes on a return to full training.

The Ivory Coast international joined Everton from Bundesliga side FSV Mainz in summer 2019 but has only been able to feature in two matches for the Toffees owing to serious quadriceps and Achilles injuries.

"With JP Gbamin, I think he will be here [at USM Finch Farm] in two weeks," Ancelotti said. 

"We decided to leave him to finish his rehab individually.

"In two weeks I think he will be here and be ready to train and to play."