Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has decided against bringing a new left-back to Goodison Park in the January transfer window as Lucas Digne nears a return from injury, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
The absence of arguably the Premier League’s most creative full-back has not hit the Toffees quite as hard as they might have feared.
Everton have won four of their seven matches without the £18 million France international, keeping clean sheets against Chelsea and Leicester City, with the adaptable Ben Godfrey adding another string to his bow in an unfamiliar left-sided role.
The Echo reports that Ancelotti was mulling over plans to sign a new left-back to provide further cover for Digne but, with the former Barcelona flyer due to return imminently from ankle surgery, those plans have now been postponed.
The good news just keeps on coming too, with the Echo adding that Digne is on the verge of agreeing an extension to his current £90,000-a-week contract to ward off apparent interest from Manchester City.
Youngster Niels Nkounkou has impressed when featuring on the left side this season, while veteran Fabian Delph can also step in if required.
16-year-old Thierry Small has caught Ancelotti’s eye too and is now training with Everton’s first-team squad.
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