Medical expert: Abdoulaye Doucoure could be out 50 per cent longer than Everton letting on
Abdoulaye Doucoure could be out for up to six weeks with his groin injury – 50 per cent longer than Everton are letting on.
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Doucoure limped off with 25 minutes remaining of the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa before the winter break on 22 January.
The Toffees confirmed last Thursday (27 January) that the 29-year-old Frenchman could miss four weeks of action while he recovers.
But Dinnery that the midfielder’s absence could stretch out to up to six weeks as Everton adjust to life under new manager Frank Lampard.
“It is a fairly significant injury,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“We initially looked at that borderline grade one, grade two. We are now potentially looking at up to six weeks, so that indicates that it’s a grade two.
“It hopefully shouldn’t impact too much on the run-in. He has fairly solid recovery rates.
“But there is a swing in feeling and mood following the arrival of Frank Lampard, which could affect the situation around Doucoure somewhat.
“If they get off to a good start, Doucoure could find it difficult to force his way back into that squad.“
Everton added fellow midfielders Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek on deadline day of the January window.
Lampard could hand them their debuts in the Fa Cup clash against Brentford on Saturday (5 February).
In other news, pundit issues “massive” Everton board plea after significant development at Goodison.