Everton boss Sam Allardyce believes injury woes are lightening ahead of Crystal Palace clash

Sport360 staff 21:27 08/02/2018
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  • Everton boss Sam Allardyce believes the injury situation is currently the best it has been in his time at the club.

    England left-back Leighton Baines is nearing a return to action having sat out Everton’s last 14 games since limping off just 27 minutes into the 4-1 defeat at Southampton.

    Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash with his former club Crystal Palace, Allardyce said of his squad’s overall fitness: “Actually pretty good I think, the best since I’ve been here.

    “(Maarten) Stekelenburg’s nearly joining back in training again, Leighton (Baines) is not on the field yet in training but he’s in the full mode for recovery, he’s running. We would expect by the time we play Watford (on February 24) he’ll be clear of the injuries he’s had.”

    This weekend’s game at Goodison Park will be refereed by Jon Moss, who had a difficult afternoon at Anfield last Sunday.

    Moss awarded Tottenham two penalties, the first particularly contentious when TV microphones picked up discussions with his assistant, in a dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

    “I think he chose to do the right thing and talk it out and then come to the decision,” Allardyce said.

    “Whether that decision was right or wrong, only him and his bosses have to discuss that and come to the conclusion. The only thing they didn’t do was cover their mouths up, like everybody says you’ve got to these days because the camera goes so close and listens to what they’re saying.”

    On whether Everton Under-23s coach David Unsworth, who this week reportedly turned down the chance to manage Oxford, would remain at the club, Allardyce added: “I think David’s expressed his will to be a manager, hasn’t he? So I’m not so sure my opinion makes much difference, whether he should or shouldn’t stay, because I haven’t been here long enough. That’s the board’s decision and David’s decision in his own right.”

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