Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - December 26, 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui, Daniel Podence and Everton's Nathan Patterson react REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Everton have been dealt a double injury blow before they face Arsenal as Sean Dyche says that Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nathan Patterson are both ruled out.
The Lowdown: Team News
Speaking to the media in his pre-game press conference ahead of their match in the Premier League tonight, Dyche confirmed that Calvert-Lewin has still not recovered from injury, and will be sidelined.
He also added that James Garner is still ruled out, although his fitness is getting stronger.
The Latest: Patterson out
Dyche also confirmed that Patterson is a ‘bit behind’ despite returning in an U21s game against Tottenham Hotspur a couple of weeks ago, and so will not be available:
“James Garner’s going well. He’s getting fitter & stronger… Nathan Patterson’s just a bit behind that so he’ll just need a bit more.”
The Verdict: Blow
It is certainly a blow for Dyche to be without Patterson again as well as Calvert-Lewin and Garner.
The 21-year-old right-back is a younger and perhaps more athletic option to the 34-year-old Seamus Coleman, who may struggle up against the in-form Gabriel Martinelli.
Patterson is currently averaging more tackles per game than any of his team-mates in the top flight, and also averages more shots, key passes, dribbles and pass success per game than Coleman (WhoScored).
The Scotsman would offer the Toffees an extra attacking threat up against the league leaders, as they are the lowest scorers in the division with 17, but now it will be more difficult to get something from the game, and they may just have to play for a point.
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