Everton manager Sean Dyche has revealed that Vitalii Mykolenko is a minor doubt for their trip to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Ukrainian has been one of Everton's most-consistent players this season, and is often high in the charts of performances aggregators for left-backs across the division.
Following a mixed start to life at the club following a £20m move from Dynamo Kiev in 2022, Mykolenko has now made the left-back spot his own at Goodison Park.
The 24-year-old has made 26 appearances for the Toffees across all competitions this season, missing only a brief period of time in mid-December during the team's injury and suspension crisis.
However, Mykolenko's fitness for their trip to Brighton at the weekend is now in doubt following words from Dyche in his pre-match press conference earlier on Thursday.
Speaking to the press before making the trip south, Dyche revealed: "Myko has took a knock, but we're hopeful he'll be alright."
Mykolenko's fitness will be of great importance to Everton, given that he is the only natural left-back within the senior squad.
Ben Godfrey has covered on the left on occasion, but with Seamus Coleman currently sidelined and Nathan Patterson struggling for form, he has started at right-back in Everton's last four games.
© Reuters
Dyche also announced that Coleman is closing in on a return himself, and his steely determination and professionalism has been admirable in his recovery from illness.
Updates on Arnaut Danjuma and Andre Gomes were also provided, with Dyche stating both are "working very hard to get fit" but neither are expected to be available for the weekend's trip to the Amex, leaving Everton light once again out wide and in the centre of the park.
In more positive news, Dyche revealed that Abdoulaye Doucoure did not suffer from any flare up of his previous injury after making his comeback following five matches on the sidelines.
Doucoure was thrust immediately into the starting lineup at Goodison Park in their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Monday, and lasted 70 minutes before being replaced by Beto.
Amadou Onana came off the bench to score a late equaliser for the Toffees, and the Belgian is set to return to the starting XI himself against Roberto De Zerbi's side.
Everton will seek similar glory to their astonishing 5-1 success at the Amex from last season on Saturday, with the club still level on points with Luton Town, who enter the weekend in the bottom three.
Andrew Delaney
