Everton host Southampton in the Premier League this evening (July 9) knowing they can call upon a fit-again Theo Walcott to boost their attacking options.
The former Saints man is available to face his former club having now fully recovered from abdominal surgery and he could make his first appearance since the resumption, according to the club’s official website.
The report confirmed that while Walcott could feature, defender Mason Holgate is set to miss the match after he took a knock to his shin during Monday night’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
Colombia international Yerry Mina came on as a substitute for 23-year-old in that match and is likely to partner Michael Keane at the back.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has also made it clear that Alex Iwobi is fit – although he could be set to miss out if Walcott starts – and Fabian Delph will be unavailable with a muscle problem.
Cenk Tosun and Jean-Philippe Gbamin remain long-term absentees with knee and lower leg injuries respectively.
Ancelotti also spoke about the availability of right-back Djibril Sidibe, who is not quite ready for a start but could come off the bench as he did against Tottenham.
“He is not 100 per cent because didn’t train properly in the last 15 days,” he told the website.
“I don’t know if he can do 90 minutes at the top of his intensity.”
Everton’s defeat to Spurs was their first loss since resumption and they should welcome a return to Goodison Park, where they have not lost in nine league games.
Furthermore, they have not lost a home game to Southampton in the Premier League since December 1997.
Possible Everton starting XI: Jordan Pickford; Lucas Digne, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Seamus Coleman; Tom Davies, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Andre Gomes, Theo Walcott; Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin
