Sigurdsson to see specialist over knee concerns

I would imagine he is having scans today and nobody will know the extent of the injury until a full medical assessment has been completed. It could be a strained ligament and 2-4 weeks out as opposed to a season ending injury.

Here's hoping.

It is anticipated that the 28-year-old Icelandic international could be sidelined for several weeks but it will only be after consulting with the specialist that a definitive timeframe will be known."

Ray, he pulled up pretty early on after a simple pass. Looked like one of those innocuous injuries that must be serious. I thought it very unusual he then played on and assumed that he must have just felt something and assured himself it was nothing.

That looks a bit silly now, if it was the same injury and he played on for that long.

On a separate note I hear that Besic has been stellar at Middlesborough. I wonder why he was not give more of a chance here given how poor our midfield has been and that he has the pace we have badly lacked in the middle. perhaps he will come back and be the athletic box to box midfielder that we have needed and still need.

Sam #17, I'd say 56 appearances was "more of a chance" than Besic deserved, given that only once in all that time (the City game) did he appear to be anything we needed, least of all a box-to-box midfielder. He's found his level at Boro. Good for him and them. Let's get 12 million from them and complete the transfer.

Like many have mentioned, maybe this the ' last chance saloon ' for Klaassen, I hope he proves to be an able replacement, for however Siggy is out for.

Also, Besic hasn't had 56 appearances for us he has had 45 and close to half of those have been from the bench, possibly for a few minutes.

Plus he's been played in many different positions.

I wonder how many times he's been started in his chosen position for more than 3 games in a row? Once? Never!?

Obviously he has not set the world alight when he has played but it speaks volumes to me of the current Everton philosophy that the senior experienced pros with Premier League experience get in over the untested ones every time, no matter how badly they are playing.

You rather condescendingly say that he has found his level but I'd suggest a pacy midfielder who's been the standout player for the promotion chasing, in-form team in the Championship is very much someone who might be worth a look, given how poor our central midfield has been this season.

He'll be fit for next season and ready to show everyone why we paid such a large sum.

Definitely cursed.

He may not have reached his full potential for us, but the fact that we have concerns about who will replace him indicates that he is a very valuable asset to Everton. We are likely to miss him far more than many supporters might think.

Perhaps Gylffie's misfortune is Davy Klassen's opportunity as now we have no chance either of winning anything or being relegated, he may be given a run in the ten position.

Don't want him aggravating it by playing the World Cup and missing next season for us.

It beggars belief that he played on. Maybe (going against the grain here) but maybe this millionaire does care about the club and it's supporters.

Come back soon lad I think we'll see the best of him after a solid preseason (hopefully under a new Manager,).

"I wouldn't want any of them players marrying my daughter."

The man has got such high standards.

Started 23 games and came on as a sub in 13.

Spent 1958 minutes on the pitch.

Last appearance, half time sub at Chelsea last August. One before that was a start at home to Bournemouth at the end of April 2016 and subbed at half-time.

17 of his 23 starts were in a 5, and 8 and 4 game run.

So I think he has, after 4 years at the club shown what he can do, or more precisely what he can't do. And that is be a Premier League player.

Adam Forshaw Mk II?

If you are an 8-year-old Asian kid sewing footballs together with your hands and teeth, or a 7-year-old African girl walking 10 miles to get water each day... yeah I'm empathic.

If you are a multi-, multi-millionaire (who often times this season) half-heartedly played a game most of us would passionately be happy to do for free (with a massive grin on our faces)... then not so much.

Footballers get injured and he will recover. Get well soon, Siggi – in the meantime, I'm sorry that you can't drive one of your many 6-figured sum sports cars, have to earn your weekly six-figure sum in rehabilitation, have to stay at home watching Holly Willoughby in your multi-million-pound mansion and unlucky for sum have to be careful and alter your position when you are screwing your superfine, super-fit wife.

If you spend money on a plumber you expect the tap not to leak...

㿙 Million and he can be replaced by several squad members. Just saying.

I do care that he is injured because I stopped being Genghis Khan in a former life; however, I save my empathy for those who really deserve it.

This injury represents a massive chance for Davvy Klaassen, the odd man out in a plethora of number 10's.

If, and I say if Allardyce has any nouse, he'll keep the same shape and play Klasssen where Sigurdsson was. Don't move Rooney, just keep the shape which suits us best.

By keeping the shape and 'playing him in' is truly a god send for Klaassen, play him regardless for the last 8 games and that would be the best way for all to see if he has got what it takes?

You have no class mate. None at all.

On the other hand Sam has a ready made excuse if he fucks it up against Stoke! I can just hear him now: "We missed Sigurdsson this week – it's a massive blow."

During that time Besic has had zero goals. Zero assists. Five shots on target. Five. For a so-called midfielder. He has more yellow cards than shots on goal. And he gave us one really good game. Just one.

Whatever the question, Besic isn't the answer. Phil's comparison to Forshaw is apt. Great lad, wish him all the success and adulation that Forshaw has enjoyed in the Championship. But it won't happen at Goodison.

I think we're much more likely to see Rooney moved up to #10 again and you-know-who brought back in for the deep-lying midfielder position.

As for Siggy, I'll feel gutted for him (and Iceland) if he has to miss the World Cup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9usQFDzhRv0

Besic is playing well for a Championship club, he had ample chances for us, and apart from the one game against Man City, he's not premiership standard. I wish him all the best, always liked him, and hope he signs for Pulis.

Sigurdsson – I hope its not too serious. Looking forward more to seeing Iceland playing than England. At least the Icelanders play for their country with pride. Unlike our over-paid over-hyped never-wases.

If he doesn't get a mention, it might mean he has something else lined up for this summer when hopefully Hippo Head goes.

And Mike (#42), Besic has only started about 12 games since he was 22 (mainly due to injuries). He was bought as a prospect and been judged as a fully rounded player – sounds familiar that. He has never really had a run but maintained a pass rate of nearly 90% and had a tackle rate the same as Jimmy Mac's.

He only had one season – when he was 22 – when he was on the pitch for about 15 games worth of minutes. It would not surprise me if he has matured into the player that many of us could see glimpses of.

As for Besic, I ask myself who would I rather have as a left sided defensive midfielder for the derby game. I would take a fit Besic over Schneiderlin every time. As Pulis has recognised, he has the right attitude.

To snidely compare them to skint kids in Asia or Africa is an old one to use.. we could even do that about our own standard of living as far as those kids are concerned if you were really so concerned. Hey lads, you re not... BS!!!

Also, in this shambolic, stop-start season he's never shown any quit, even when out of position or having a poor game or when the team has stunk his head has never dropped. The idea that we have players who'll seamlessly slot in is without weight.

Laurie #60, can't argue with that. If there's one thing Besic does have, it's heart. Would take him in a minute over #2, who has lost his.

Andy #58, maybe so. I never saw that glimpse, but he has the terrier ferocity to turn into a pretty decent CB someday, especially if paired with a taller partner (like Mascherano with Pique at Barca), where his lack of attacking talent won't be a handicap. I do wish him the best.

Felipe #54, always lovely to have a visitor from another planet drop in.

"They get paid what they all get paid, doesn't mean they all don't give a fuck or that we shouldn't if they get injured..."

"It's often used to slate our players, parodixically by contrast to our opposition (also multi-millionaires)". Great point.

Do I sympathize with his Injury... yes. Do I empathize... Hell No.

I'm no tin man in need of a wizard. Regardless of wages I would gladly walk the length of a yellow brick road to shake the hand of anyone who wears the shirt with the same passion and pride that I share with yourselves.

So whilst we quibble over definitions Siggi is probably planning a holiday on board his multi million pound, 3 storey yacht after he and his superbly designed, munch of a wife have worked out a suitable position around that dodgy knee.

As for the Asian and African kids... I have been to these countries and donated a lot of money. Poverty in those countries is as real today as it was many years ago. Dismissing it as an age old thing whilst mourning the temporary loss of a millionaire footballer (who doesn't know you exist) tells me a lot about the writers.

Our season is over. His season may also be over. Let's hope he gets fit and produces for next season.

Especially sad as he was finally being played through the middle.

My team for Stoke:

Pickford
Coleman Jagielka Keane Baines
Idrissa Davies
Walcott Rooney Bolasie
Tosun

Subs: Robles, Holgate, Funes Mori, Baningime, Klaassen, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse

Holgate & Funes Mori on the bench give us great versatility – as they can play centre-back and right-back or left-back respectively. Plus they have the pace to slot into a back 3.

Vlasic is unlucky to miss out.

If Idrissa is back to full health, he'll slot back in. If not, Klaassen to play in Siggy's position, and Rooney to continue at central defensive midfielder.

Kenny (#67) – I can't see Klaassen starting unless Idrissa and Schneiderlin are both unavailable... but Davy might get put on later in the game.

It would have been interesting to see if Idrissa (or Schneiderlin) would have got back in if it hadn't been for this injury to Sigurdsson. Unfortunately, we will never know.

I suppose the other big questions are: Will he replace Davies with Schneiderlin or play Schneiderlin and Davies and leave Idrissa out?

One thing is for sure: he will start with the same back 4 and Rooney, and probably the front 3 of Walcott, Tosun, and Bolasie.

Two wingers and a an old-fashioned centre-forward away at Stoke? I hope so.

Put him at the heart of the midfield and see if he can produce. If he can help manufacture a win at Stoke it would be fantastic.

I think there is a lot of goodwill towards Klaassen from a lot of fans. He seems to have stuck at it a bit like Niasse.

If he is working well in training and looks sharp and committed, start him instead of turning to Morgan Schneiderlin.

I still think as others have said that its hard, for a foreign player especially, to show what he is made of when not given a proper run. Which Besic has seldom had.

I'm not saying he will make it at the highest level but I would not be surprised if he outstrips Forshaw, who to be fair has done fairly well in the game and held his own at times in the Premier League.

Either way, I'm not convinced that Besic (or Forshaw for that matter) would be a less useful option than the likes of #2, Klaassen or the sadly mostly injured McCarthy.

He's 25.

I don't think he's a world beater by any stretch but has been playing very well on loan and I reckon he may be as good as anyone else we have in the same position.

1.) Sigurdsson getting "shipped out" isn't even in the realm of possibility.

2.) Whether we overpaid for him, or could have gotten better value for our money, is immaterial. The deal's done, he's here now. You don't get to send players back to the toy store for a full refund.

3.) "He should never be at Everton in the first place." Oh yeah? He doesn't fit in with all our world-class talents, like Schneiderlin and Williams? Give me a break.

It simply amazes me, given the club's litany of issues, that anyone would waste their breath dumping on Siggy, who's one of the few players on the squad you'd definitively keep, and build around. It's like these people who are suddenly calling for Robles to get a run of games - Pickford may not be perfect, but we have enough problems without trying to suddenly make an issue out of the keeper position.

Spot on