Updated Doubts over Iliman Ndiaye’s availability for this weekend’s clash with Ipswich Town have eased after he came on as a second-half substitute for Senegal against Malawi in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying today.
The 24-year-old was withdrawn as a precaution in the return game last week having received treatment on the field by the team physio before walking off under his own steam to be replaced by Boulaye Dia.
Ndiaye had set up Pape Gueye to score the opening goal for the Lions of Teranga in their 4-0 and came off after 65 minutes. His Everton colleague, Idrissa Gueye, was a second-half substitute when he came on as part of the double change that saw Ndiaye go off and he, too, weighed in with an assist for Nicolas Jackson.
Neither the nature nor the extent of the knock were revealed known but the Blues’ star was seen up and about, celebrating and in good spirits with his team-mates after the final whistle and he trained with the Lions of Teranga squad as normal ahead of today’s rematch.
Senegal came out on top again, this time by a single goal to nil scored by Sadio Mané, with Ndiaye being introduced in the 58th minute.
Elsewhere, Beto played the full 90 minutes for Guinea-Bissau in their goalless draw with Mali having recently declared his international allegiance to the African nation.