NO BOSS NO STARS NO POINT Fitting end to Blues’ dire Euro bid as Sam, Roo & Co stay at home.. and even the sun stays away!

THIS isn’t how a European campaign is supposed to end.

Everton arrived in Nicosia last night with a squad filled with outcasts, reserves and kids. Bottom of Group E with four defeats in five games, new boss Sam Allardyce got a doctor’s note, a long-standing medical check-up, to avoid the flight to Cyprus.

Assistant boss Sammy Lee stayed back on Merseyside too – local derby preparations clearly being taken seriously.

Coach Craig Shakespeare, formerly of Leicester City, becomes the third “manager” to take charge in the dugout in the last eight days, after caretaker David Unsworth and Big Sam.

Also staying at home were the likes of Wayne Rooney, Jordan Pickford and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

For the older squad members who travelled, it was the call up they didn’t want. It meant they were ruled out of A LIMASSOL the starting XI derby at Anfield.

Fans who have travelled – hoping for some winter sun, as well as competitive football – will be getting neither. It was raining and 12C on the sunshine isle.

How was Big Sam doing? And will he be on the phone to Shakespeare during the match pulling the (second) strings?

Shakespeare said: “Sam has a prior medical arrangement. It is not ideal.

“But he is fine. He will be back at the training ground on Thursday or Friday.

“I will speak to him and find out what he wants to do (about communications). Fringe players should see it as an opportuity to force their way into the EVERTON TV TIMES: Live on BT Sport 2 from 5.30pm in Sunday’s team.”

Morgan Schneiderlin has not given up on a place on the bench at Anfield.

The former Manchester United midfielder said of tonight’s match: “It is to get game time, to enjoy yourself, and finish the campaign on a good note.”