Everton are going into the weekend clash with Spurs with their defence potentially in tatters after Sylvan Distin became their latest injury victim. Distin, along with midfielder Dan Gosling, suffered a hamstring injury in last night’s 1-0 Europa League win at AEK Athens. Both will undergo scans this week, while striker Jo also suffered a knee injury after falling awkwardly.
Everton boss Moyes isn’t too worried about the Brazilian striker (understandable when he has decent replacements) but is already being pessimistic about the prognosis on the other two…
“I don’t think Jo’s is serious, but I am concerned about Sylvain and Dan as both are hamstring strains…We will have them assessed on Thursday”
Given that Moyes already goes into Sunday’s meet with Spurs with injury doubts surrounding Yobo (hamstring) and Rodwell (groin), it seems likely that we’ll see a very makeshift Everton defence…
Lucas Neill will be available and looks a certain starter, but Heitinga is banned having picked up his fifth yellow at the weekend.Tony Hibbert could now be charged with a centre-back role having shone in that position last night.
This news will doubtless be filtering back to Harry Redknapp who must be rubbing his hands in anticipation given that he has the potent weaponry of Defoe, Keane and Crouch to call upon. It will be interesting to see which combination he goes for here. Defoe is a given but, if Everton are really struggling for natural centre-backs, I wouldn’t be surprised if he chucks Crouch’s height at them, if not from the start, certainly at some point in the game.
Goals at Goodison seem very very likely right now, with Defoe look more attractive than ever, particularly with Wolves visiting White Hart Lane in the gameweek to follow.