Sean Dyche has seen his worst fears realised at Everton as Iliman Ndiaye is likely to miss the clash against Ipswich Town after sustaining an injury on international duty.
The Blues will travel to Portman Road on Saturday [19 October] knowing anything less than three points will not be good enough after a poor start to the season.
Dyche may have to take his side to Ipswich without Ndiaye as Senegal confirmed the forward missed the last training session on international duty and is a doubt feature against Malawi.
It is the last thing Dyche would have wanted, with one of his regular starters now surely unlikely to recover in time for the trip to Suffolk.
Everton need to find solution in must-win clash against Ipswich Town
While the emerging footage of Ndiaye walking off the pitch for Senegal carrying an injury looked hopeful, the situation has taken a turn for the worse with Everton likely facing a must-win clash in the Premier League without one of their key performers.
Even this early into the season, the match at Ipswich could have significant ramifications for the relegation battle at the end of the campaign with both sides expected to be there or there about in May.
Whether or not Dyche will remain at the Goodison Park helm this year remains to be seen, with constant speculation linking prospective candidates to his job. All the Toffees boss can do is continue to improve the results on the pitch.
The Toffees have turned around their Premier League form in recent weeks with two draws and one crucial win against Crystal Palace in their last three outings, but the side’s credentials will be tested at Portman Road.
Kieran McKenna’s men have proven difficult to beat on home soil, whereas Everton are yet to pick up three points away from home this season, so it will be anything but an easy task.
Dwight McNeil will be asked to continue his stellar form this season but, with Jack Harrison failing to catch the eye and Jesper Lindstrom yet to show any of the form he showed during his stint at Eintracht Frankfurt, Dyche will face a pivotal selection dilemma should Ndiaye return to Goodison Park unfit to feature.
This is the last thing that Everton need right now, but if Dyche is to prove to prospective owner Dan Friedkin he can usher in a new era for the Blues, he must find a solution.
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