Bolasie gives beleaguered Everton much-needed boost
ARSENAL HAVE CHANCE TO BLOOD YOUNGSTERS IN EUROPA LEAGUE
eleaguered Everton have been given a boost with the news that winger Yannick Bolasie trained with the Everton first-team squad yesterday as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury after nearly a year out.
The Merseyside club take on Europa League Group E leaders Atalanta today with their exit from the tournament already confirmed.
Everton, who sacked manager Ronald Koeman earlier this season, are bottom of their Europa League table with one point and have no chance of progressing to the knockout phase.
Bolasie joined Everton from Crystal Palace last year but has not featured since injuring his anterior cruciate ligament in a 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester United last December.
Caretaker boss David Unsworth said that the 28-yearold, who trained with Everton’s Under-23 side last week before joining the first team, was in line for a return in the New Year.
Everton are 16th in the table with 12 points after three wins, three draws and six defeats and travel to 14th-placed Southampton on Sunday.
To make matters worse, Uefa fined Everton €30,000 (Dh130,000) yesterday after a fan tried to punch an opposing team’s goalkeeper when a clash between players spilt toward the stands.
Opportunity for youngsters
Uefa says Everton was guilty of “aggressions by supporters against players” during a Europa League game against Lyon last month.
The fan was holding a child with one arm when he targeted Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes during the melee.
Everton said they would ban the supporter from attending games. Things are looking much better for Everton’s Premier League rivals Arsenal, who travel to Germany to take on Cologne in the Europa League today having already qualified for the knockout phase.
A goalless draw against Red Star Belgrade last time out at the Emirates was enough to ensure their progress and the trip to Cologne should give manager Arsene Wenger the opportunity to give some youngsters muchneeded game time.
Cologne could still take second spot in Group H despite currently sitting bottom of Group H. Both clubs will be keen to avoid the trouble that preceded the reverse fixture in London where kick-off was delayed after Cologne fans managed to purchase home tickets and fights broke out between the travelling supporters and stewards inside the stadium.
Arsenal, fresh from a 2-0 victory against north London rivals Tottenham on Saturday, could be without Oliver Giroud and Theo Walcott, who did not train with the first team on Wednesday. Calum Chambers and Rob Holding are also doubtful.
Youngsters Reiss Nelson and Chris Willock, along with Eddie Nketiah, have the change to impress in Germany. Willian José