Doucouré, Garner & Broja: Everton injury news and return dates ahead of West Ham clash

Everton’s frustration at a disappointing defeat to Southampton over the weekend may be compounded by mixed news on the injury front ahead of Saturday’s Premier League showdown with West Ham United, another side struggling to find consistent form in the top flight.

While Evertonians will be buoyed to have seen Jarrad Branthwaite get onto the field for the first time this season in the closing stages at St. Mary’s and relieved that Dwight McNeil was able to play a full part following an injury scare, there will be concerns over the absence of several important players, especially in central midfield, an area which now seems worryingly depleted.

We’ve got all of the latest injury updates for Everton fans after the weekend below, along with their expected return dates when they’re available.

Abdoulaye Doucouré

The Malian midfielder came off with an apparent knock during the recent 1-1 draw with Fulham and eventually missed out against Southampton as a result. The club have not provided any information on the nature of the injury, but manager Sean Dyche has told the media that “we don’t think it is too serious” despite Doucouré missing training time during the course of last week. Apparently the injury was “just too sore” for him to work at full capacity, and he was rested as a result. There is a good chance that he will be back to face West Ham.

James Garner

The news for fellow midfielder Garner is rather worse, unfortunately. Having missed the previous two matches with a back injury, Dyche offered an update on the player’s condition prior to the Southampton match, describing his problem as “a longer-term injury”. Garner will be out for “beyond a month” and won’t play again in November. The Merseyside derby on 7 December may be a target.

Armando Broja

The on-loan Chelsea striker hasn’t featured this season because of foot and leg injuries, but the Albanian international is slowly starting to make his way back to fitness and it is hoped that he will return to light training this week. It is highly unlikely that he is ready to face West Ham this weekend but barring further setbacks, he should be in the matchday squad before the end of November.

Tim Iroegbunam

The summer signing is another absentee in midfield courtesy of a foot injury. Prior to the Southampton game, Dyche said that the club were “waiting for it to settle” before assessing the full extent of the problem. Pending updates from the coach or club, there is no known return date as yet.

Youssef Chermiti

Another striker who hasn’t yet made it out onto the field of play this season thanks to fitness problems – and another player whose foot is the problem, with the tendon on his big toe apparently becoming detached. In October, Dyche told the media that Chermiti was “beginning to make progress” but that he was still “a number of weeks away”. The most optimistic estimates available suggest a potential return in late November.