As was twittered earlier by greek fan, Everton’s Marouane Fellaini is a doubt for the start of the new season after contracting a, rather nasty-sounding, debilitating virus earlier this summer.

The Belgium international has suffered significant weight loss and is struggling to regain full-strength according to Everton boss David Moyes…

“Fellaini has had an illness for most of the summer which has affected him. He has lost quite lot of weight and it’s noticeable looking at him how thin he has become…Since he has come back we’ve been trying to get him built up, but the weight is not going back on at the moment.”

Surprisingly, these quotes came after Fellaini had just completed 90 minutes, in yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Coventry City. However, the nature of this ‘injury’ will surely hamper his chances of featuring heavily in Everton’s early fixtures, even if it does not keep him out completely.

He emerged last season as somewhat of a fantasy favourite (as well as a card magnet), playing in an advanced role off the striker. This continued in preseason with Moyes’ 4-5-1 benefiting Fellaini and promoting his fantasy prospects.

Not many will have backed the big-haired fellow from the off though, as Everton start the season with the visit of Arsenal to Goodison Park and then miss their fixture in Gameweek 2. Beyond this however, and Everton have a superb run of fixtures so this situation will require monitoring closely.