Cuco Martina was one Everton outcast playing in Tuesday’s behind-closed-doors friendly at USM Finch Farm and Oumar Niasse was another.
The 29-year-old has spent the majority of the season out of the matchday squad, but he’s still training with the first-team and was given an opportunity to impress in the 60-minute game.
Whether Carlo Ancelotti was paying a lot of attention to Niasse’s performance remains to be seen, but the centre-forward did get on the scoresheet.
He held up the ball well at times and didn’t relinquish possession cheaply, but he looked lethargic which may be down to a lack of match fitness.
Niasse has racked up only 19 minutes of Premier League football, so it’s to be be expected that he isn’t as sharp as his teammates.
The Senegalese international has made only five appearances in all competitions this season, the last of which came in Everton’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle United (January 21).
His future has been at up for some time, but Ancelotti doesn’t have a problem with Niasse being in the first-team before he eventually leaves.
Selling the 29-year-old has been an impossible task, however, as Niasse has turned down interest from Russia and the English Championship to pursue a return to Turkey. He’s expected to see out his deal and leave on a free transfer in July.