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Everton Boss Gives Team News Update

Everton boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic-Calvert Lewin are not available for Sunday’s match at Manchester City but says they are “progressing well” in their recoveries.

The Blues will also be without Tom Davies for this weekend's contest after the midfielder sustained a knee injury.

Frenchman Doucoure has been sidelined with a foot problem but Benitez revealed the 28-year-old could be ready to return in “one or two weeks”.

Calvert-Lewin has been unable to feature since Everton’s third Premier League game of the season – a 2-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion – due to a quadriceps injury.

Benitez says the striker is making positive strides in his rehabilitation but expects it will be “at least two or three weeks” before he is fit for First-Team action.

Mina (hamstring) and Gomes (calf) remain out for Everton, while Mason Holgate will serve the first game of a three-match suspension following his red card in the Blues’ 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Benitez said: “All of them [the injured players] are progressing well but are not ready yet. 

“Each one is different. They are getting better. But you have to be 100-per-cent sure they are fine. 

“Doucoure has a metatarsal injury – it is a bone so it has to heal. I think in one week or two weeks, maximum, he can be fine, if he doesn’t have any problems.

“For Dominic, we will have to wait for at least two or three weeks. He is progressing well but still we need some time.”

Benitez added: “Sometimes you can manage the injuries, but when you have metatarsal or a knee problem, or you have a player who have had injuries in the past…you have to be sure you can bring them back as soon as possible and safely.”


Benitez admits he is looking forward to having greater options to choose from as Everton’s injured players steadily return to the fold.

The Blues boss, however, underlined his belief his squad boasts the quality to compete with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday and deliver a positive result at Etihad Stadium.

“In the last game against Tottenham, the team showed character and the right mentality, and that’s what we have to do in every game,” he added.

“We know we are playing against a good team. We have confidence we can do well. 

“The training sessions have been intense and everybody has been positive.

“The team started [the season] really well.

"We miss some players and we have some issues. Hopefully these players coming back will give us a boost and we will have a stronger team for the rest of the first part of the season – and especially for the second part of the season.”