Seasons2016-17Everton News
Koeman's fitness boost ahead of Black Cats clash


Romelu Lukaku has trained the last three days and will be available to face Sunderland
Ronald Koeman looks set to have Kevin Mirallas and James McCarthy fit again for Saturday's visit of Sunderland while Romelu Lukaku has also resumed training.
Both Mirallas and McCarthy missed the goalless draw with Middlesbrough the weekend before last with minor complaints but have trained as normal this week after travelling with the group to Dubai.
Lukaku missed the Blues' warm-weather training camp because of a calf problem for which he sought specialist treatment in his native Belgium but Koeman confirmed that the striker has trained the last three days and will be available to face the Black Cats.
The manager also gave promising updates on Muhamed Besic who he says is working well and on course to return from his long-term knee injury in the coming weeks while young forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be back in training on Tuesday.
Koeman spoke of how pleased he was with the trip to the Emirates which he explained was really beneficial in terms of both physical conditioning and an opportunity for the squad to spend time together following the recent additions to its ranks.
“The group has changed a lot if you compare it to pre-season,” the Dutchman explained. “I think we have 7, 8 new faces in.
“We have changed a lot and I think it was important to bring the group together because you spend more hours of the day together than you do in a normal week.
“You have time to talk to the players and that was really good. It was a good week.”
Reader Comments (16)
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2 Posted 23/02/2017 at 18:16:27
3 Posted 23/02/2017 at 18:17:01
4 Posted 23/02/2017 at 18:23:33
5 Posted 23/02/2017 at 18:30:18
6 Posted 23/02/2017 at 18:41:04
On recent form, he's the best we have for that. Depends on how he's progressed in fitness following the recent injury. Over to Koeman.
7 Posted 23/02/2017 at 18:48:03
Glad to see him return to previous form.
8 Posted 23/02/2017 at 19:00:32
Everton's midfield, including Gueye, against Middlesborough was quite poor except for the performance of Tom Davies.
When McCarthy played last against Bournemouth before he was injured (again), Everton were in cruise control and 3-0 up. But when McCarthy came off, it was a different game of football, and the Everton midfield lost the plot again.
But, if McCarthy is fit, he should be a certainty to play against Sunderland. No ifs or buts.
9 Posted 23/02/2017 at 19:55:25
10 Posted 23/02/2017 at 20:13:38
Koeman didn't like him at first, because he missed preseason with injury. When he regained full fitness, his performance against Arsenal was the Macca of old; it turned our season and changed Koeman's opinion completely.
11 Posted 23/02/2017 at 22:36:33
12 Posted 23/02/2017 at 00:21:53
Gueye has been one of our best performers earlier on in the season but if I'm being honest I think we have looked a better team with Tom Davies in the side since Gueye left for the afcon. Davies looks to have more of an attacking threat and a has a better passing range than Gueye.
Schneiderlin has been class since he came into the side and Barkley's form has improved since he has had Davies to link up with. Also Jimmy mac has impressed since returning from injury; it really must be a headache for Koeman to pick a team!
It's inevitable Sunderland will park the bus and counter attack us so for me that means we need two up front and we need to get in behind down the channels. The last thing I want to see is three defensive midfielders at home to Sunderland!
Robles
Holgate
Williams
Funes Mori
Baines
Davies
Schneiderlin
Coleman
Barkley
Lukaku
Mirallas
13 Posted 24/02/2017 at 02:21:47
14 Posted 24/02/2017 at 05:07:32
Robles;
Holgate, Williams, Funes Mori;
Coleman, Idrissa, Schneiderlin, Baines;
Barkley, Lookman;
Lukaku.
Subs: Stekelenburg, Jagielka, Barry, McCarthy, Davies, Mirallas, Valencia.
Might start Mirallas ahead of Lookman, I'd be happy with either.
15 Posted 24/02/2017 at 09:32:07
16 Posted 24/02/2017 at 14:55:59
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1 Posted 23/02/2017 at 17:20:24
Lets hope that continues on Saturday and let the talk be about this squad of players instead of a Man Utd reject currently monopolising all the posts on TW.