Everton ace Jesper Lindstrom [Credit: Imago

HomeMatchday Sat 19 October 2024 14:54, UK

Jesper Lindstrom appears to be missing for Everton as they face Ipswich Town because of illness, according to Paddy Boyland.

The Athletic journalist reported via X from Portman Road on 19 October on the "suggestion" of why the Danish winger was not included in Sean Dyche's squad.

The Napoli loanee was on the bench for the goalless drew with Newcastle last time out (5 October) and there was no mention of an issue with him during the manager's pre-match press conference for the Ipswich game [Liverpool Echo, 17 October].

Boyland wrote: "Suggestion here is that Jesper Lindstrom misses out through illness. One for Dyche's post-match presser."

Jarrad Branthwaite heads list of Everton absentees Dyche's squad has been beset by absences throughout the season so far, with the injury crisis partly explaining a dismal run of results to start the campaign.

Jarrad Branthwaite's unavailability has been the headline as the transfer-linked star defender only made his first appearance against Crystal Palace on 28 September after groin surgery.

He then picked up a thigh issue in training and is still not back to face Ipswich, while the full-back positions has been a problem all year.

Vitalii Mykolenko is back in the side now but there are three right-backs on the bench as Nathan Patterson is spotted in a match-day squad for the first time since last season, along with captain Seamus Coleman and Roman Dixon.

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Lindstrom's impact hasn't been extensive since his move from Serie A in the summer but he would arguably have been pushing Jack Harrison for his place if he was available.

Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye have understandably taken most of the plaudits in attack in recent games, but Everton fans will hope it is just a brief illness which has kept the Dane out rather than yet another injury set back, with the likes of James Garner and Tim Ireogbunam the latest to be knocked out of action.

In other Everton news, "curious" rumours have emerged in Italy on a high-level Friedkin appointment for the Toffees.