Everton play the first of their Europa League dead rubbers on Thursday evening.
Everton’s caretaker manager David Unsworth has been speaking to reporters ahead of his side’s clash with Atalanta, and he has given an injury update involving three Toffees players with his comments published on the club’s Twitter account.
Everton’s Europa League campaign has gone the way of their Premier League efforts, and the upcoming match against the Italians is the first of two dead rubbers.
It at least gives the chance for some of the Toffees’ fringe players to prove their worth and Unsworth is likely to give the club’s next generation a run out, along with a few more familiar faces.
Unfortunately for Mason Holgate, he will not feature, with Unsworth saying, “Mason is recovering from a groin injury.”
He went on to explain that Morgan Schneiderlin and Phil Jagielka are unlikely to be involved but “hopefully they will train on Friday.”
Neither player has covered themselves in glory for Everton this season, with Schneiderlin particularly disappointing and the Toffees’ defence conceding at an alarming rate.
Everton are currently bottom of Group E with just a single point from four games and the final two matches could be seen as a hindrance rather than a help.
That said, Unsworth will know that two victories could help them get back to winning ways in the Premier League and right now they will take a triumph wherever they can get it.
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