David Moyes handed unexpected Everton injury blow as £16m star now ruled out vs Bournemouth
Everton have suffered yet another injury blow ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Bournemouth.
After winning three consecutive games in the Premier League, Everton will be handed a break with FA Cup fourth round action.
David Moyes is expected to make a number of changes to his starting XI for the game against the Cherries.
The Toffees are nursing a number of injury issues coming into the game with players like Orel Mangala out for the season with a knee ligament injury.
A number of young talents could be handed an opportunity to pick up some minutes at Goodison Park.
However, there is one player who definitely will not be playing having suffered a fresh injury blow in training at Finch Farm.
Nathan Patterson suffers fresh Everton injury in training
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Armando Broja are expected to return in weeks rather than months now following their injury blows.
But it is not all good news for Moyes who is going to be without right-back Nathan Patterson this weekend.
According to one club insider, Patterson is going to miss the game against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The right-back has picked up a minor injury in training this week.
Patterson will miss the game as a precaution, but he is expected to return to the action next week.
The £16m signing, Patterson, wanted to leave Everton in January before Dyche was sacked, but he has remained put.
The game on Saturday could have offered the right-back with a big opportunity to prove himself in front of Moyes.
But it seems he will be watching from home or in the stands.
Jake O’Brien has nailed down the right-back spot
Since Moyes returned to Merseyside, Jake O’Brien has really impressed playing in the right-back spot.
The game on Saturday may be an opportunity to give the Ireland international a rest ahead of the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday night.
This game presented the perfect opportunity for Patterson to come in and get some minutes after playing well in the previous round against Peterborough United.
A real blow for a player who will be looking to showcase his ability to Moyes.
With Everton’s injury issues, David Moyes might have to experiment in Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Bournemouth.
Although it can’t be considered a crisis, Everton have a few players out injured but luckily, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Armando Broja could return quickly.
Something that would also have to be taken into account is rotation, as there are still busy periods to come for the Toffees.
Moyes will want his squad fit and firing in the Premier League to secure safety, so the Scotsman could lean on the youth of Everton.
Here are three players who could be selected by Moyes ahead of Bournemouth’s visit to Goodison Park.
Roman Dixon is someone who has a high ceiling at Everton.
Along with Harrison Armstrong, Dixon has been labelled an ‘outstanding prospect’ as the right-back is definitely one to watch.
He has already featured for Sean Dyche, as in August, the 20-year-old made his full Premier League debut.
