Jarrad Branthwaite, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Idrissa Gana Gueye could return to action when Everton host Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park this weekend – but Seamus Coleman is likely to miss out and Nathan Patterson has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Blues return to home soil to face Nuno Espirito Santo’s side on Sunday (1.30pm BST) and, ahead of that crucial clash, manager Sean Dyche has been handed a triple fitness boost, with Branthwaite, Calvert-Lewin and Gana all successfully completing a light training session on Friday.
Both Calvert-Lewin and Gana missed Monday’s defeat at Chelsea with hamstring and calf issues respectively, while Branthwaite limped off during the second half of that clash at Stamford Bridge.
Dyche revealed the chances of Coleman, who was withdrawn at half-time against Chelsea, being involved against Forest as “touch-and-go, at best”, while confirming Nathan Patterson requires surgery on the hamstring problem he sustained in the capital.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Dyche said: “[Branthwaite and Calvert-Lewin] trained, we were light today but both trained light and came through it, so we hope there is no reaction to that.
“Patto will be out for the season – he will need surgery. Very unfortunate injury. We’re disappointed on that one for him as much as us.
“Seamus, we’re waiting on but hopefully it will calm down quickly – but touch-and-go, at best, for this weekend.
“[Gana] should be okay. His calf settled and he trained today – similar, low-level training today but he trained and he was okay.”
Arnaut Danjuma was an unused substitute for the match at Chelsea, having played a full 90 minutes for the Under-21s last Friday, and has continued full training this week.
Lewis Dobbin, who picked up an ankle injury in training last month, is “getting closer” to fitness, Dyche confirmed, while Dele remains sidelined for the Toffees.