Everton centre-back Ashley Williams is suspended for the visit of Leicester City to Goodison Park this weekend after he was sent off in his side’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
The Toffees looked to be heading for a famous win as they led 1-0 in injury-time, but Williams handled a goal-bound effort from Luke Shaw and was dismissed, with Red Devils attacker Zlatan Ibrahimovic slotting home the penalty to give Jose Mourinho’s men a share of the spoils.
The absence of the Welshman for the visit of the in-form Foxes is another defensive blow for manager Ronald Koeman, who is already short of options at the back.
With Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes Mori picking up serious injuries while on international duty last month, the Dutchman really is down to the bare bones.
Here are THREE Everton players that must step up in the absence of Williams on Sunday…
Matthew Pennington
With the absence of Funes Mori and Coleman in the Merseyside Derby against Liverpool last weekend, the 22-year-old was called into the starting line-up for his first appearance of the season under Ronald Koeman.
Incredibly, he was also on the scoresheet at Anfield in an up and down showing, but he dropped back to the substitutes’ bench for the trip to Old Trafford and was a second half substitute.
With Williams missing from the backline on Sunday, Pennington could fill in alongside Phil Jagielka at the heart of the defence.
Mason Holgate
Having made 12 appearances in all competitions prior to the Merseyside Derby, Holgate had certainly been more of a regular than Pennington.
In the last two matches, the 20-year-old has filled in for the injured Coleman at right-back and he was particularly impressive at Old Trafford on Tuesday night (stats above).
His versatility means that he is also able to play at centre-back too, leaving Koeman with a big decision to make as an in-form Jamie Vardy visits Goodison Park this weekend.
Jonjoe Kenny
The 20-year-old is yet to make a single first-team appearance for the Toffees this term, but he was on the substitutes’ bench for the trips to Anfield and Old Trafford this week.
Kenny is certainly short of experience at this level too having only ever made one appearance for the club, and that came as a substitute in their Premier League clash against Norwich City last May.
However, with Koeman so short of options this weekend, the Everton Under-23 captain could get the nod on Sunday.
