Just a few days before the start of the new Premier League season at Goodison Park, Dwight McNeil might give Everton manager Sean Dyche a big blow, according to journalist Paul Brown.
The Toffees have begun their final preparations for their August 12 home game against Fulham after avoiding relegation to the Championship on the final day of the previous campaign.
El Bobble reports that McNeil is taking part in ongoing evaluations being done by Everton’s medical staff after sustaining an injury during a preseason victory over Stoke City.
The Toffees insider claims that while the winger is still receiving treatment at Finch Farm, there are worries that his condition is worse than initially thought.
After being pushed off against Championship team Stoke on Saturday due to a challenge on the edge of the penalty area, McNeil was seen hobbling down the tunnel.
Dyche admitted that the 23-year-old will be out for weeks rather than days ruling him out of the curtain-raiser against Fulham.
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The Everton manager said: “It’s not going to be days. It’s going to be weeks rather than days. We’re waiting on a weekly update if you like. So, yeah, we’ll see how long it takes. He’s just hurt his ankle ligaments.”
If the winger, who moved to Everton for £20 million from Burnley last year, is sidelined for an extended period of time, it will be a severe setback for the club.
After Dyche entered the Goodison Park dugout, McNeil recovered his greatest form, finishing the 2022–23 season with five goals and two assists in 18 games.
Everton supporters were happy with the performances the 23-year-old put in over the latter months of the season, according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who recently spoke to GIVEMESPORT.
McNeil would be missed if his injury at Stoke prevents him from playing in the first few months of the 2023–24 season.
Dyche has got the best out of the wide-man, who he previously managed at Burnley, and being unable to call upon him for the opening-day clash with Fulham would be frustrating for him.
