Everton vs Stoke City - Seamus Coleman missing for Everton
Posted Friday, August 26, 2016 by PA
Everton will once again be without full-back Seamus Coleman for the Premier League visit of Stoke.
The Republic of Ireland international has been recovering from an ankle injury and will not be seen until after the international break.
Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie should get first league starts, while James McCarthy, Tom Cleverley and Darron Gibson all have minor knocks.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman believes his side are getting closer to their peak after previous stating they were only 70 per cent fit following a pre-season disrupted by internationals returning late from Euro 2016 and transfer dealings continuing after the campaign kicked off.
"We're close to 100 per cent," he said.
"We are improving. With some players it's all about that they didn't get any game time in pre-season. Maybe they need one or two weeks more, to have international duty, to get everyone on the highest level you need to play Premier League.
"Normally that's after the transfer window. "
Stoke winger Xherdan Shaqiri could return to action after missing the last two games with a calf injury.
But the fixture at Goodison Park will come too soon for goalkeeper Jack Butland (ankle) and defender Glen Johnson (thigh) to make their first appearances of the season.
Peter Crouch made the most of his on Tuesday as he grabbed a hat-trick in the 4-0 EFL Cup win at Stevenage, and Potters boss Mark Hughes has indicated the striker could keep his place in the team.
Hughes is also hoping for another successful trip to Everton, but a less eventful one than last time.
Stoke, who opened their Premier League campaign with a draw at Middlesbrough followed by a home loss to Manchester City, have taken all three points on each of their previous two visits to Goodison Park.
The most recent was a memorable 4-3 triumph in December which saw the Potters mount a late fightback from 3-2 down.
And Hughes said ahead of this weekend's top-flight contest: "We enjoy going there. We had a fantastic game there last season.
"Clearly the result went our way, but it could have gone either way. It was a great game for everybody who was there just to watch it.
"I'd take the same result, but maybe with less dramatic moments because there were too many goals and too many incidents!"
- Tag:
- Everton
- Stoke City
- EPL
Photos
More»
Eugenie Bouchard sends fans wild in barely-there bikini
Friday April 19 2024
Paige Spiranac shows off underboob in new racy snap
Friday April 19 2024
Ex-Barcelona WAG strips completely naked
Thursday April 18 2024
Your Say