David Moyes is hopeful that James Tarkowski can return to the Everton side for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Tarkowski had played every league match for Everton this season before missing last weekend’s 2-0 away defeat to Arsenal.
Moyes gave little away concerning the nature of Tarkowski’s injury last weekend, but has now confirmed that the 33-year-old, together with fellow centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite must be fit for the visit of Chelsea on Saturday.
‘Each hopefully can be in and across the squad tomorrow,’ Moyes said in Friday’s pre-match press conference.
‘We done great without them so if we didn’t have them thn it will be superb but we’ve got them back amongst it I believe.’
Elsewhere, Tyrique George is ineligible to play against his parent club, while this weekend’s game could come too soon for Charly Alcaraz. Jack Grealish stays sidelined with a longer-term injury.
Opponents Chelsea can be without Levi Colwill, Trevor Chalobah, Filip Jorgensen and Reece James through injury.
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Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile could return following their respective illness, while Jamie Gittens faces a late fitness check after a hamstring injury.
Everton currently sit eighth within the table and will move inside two points of sixth-place Chelsea with a win on Saturday.
Key to any potential win might be central midfielder James Garner, who was rewarded together with his first England call-up by Thomas Tuchel on Friday.
‘Thrilled for Jimmy,’ Moyes said of the news. ‘He’s played well enough to be chosen; he’s been superb all season.
‘I believe he’s just matured rather a lot more and gained a number of confidence. I don’t think it was ever doubtful that he was all the time a superb player, but to step as much as the extent required to be a world player, you have got to essentially show good things.
‘Probably more vital for him is the extent of competition to be a central midfielder for England is so high so great for him and for Everton Football Club as well.’
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