Everton will be without Alex Iwobi against Newcastle on Tuesday as he’s still not fully recovered from a hamstring injury – Gylfi Sigurdsson is also out. The 23-year-old picked up the knock in Everton’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal (December 21) and has been out of action ever since.
Iwobi has missed six games for the Blues, but he’s nearing a comeback after returning to training. Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t want to risk him suffering a setback in his recovery, however, so the Nigerian international will sit out on Tuesday.
The Everton manager said in Monday’s pre-match press conference: “Iwobi is doing well but we don’t want to take a risk for the game. He will stay (at USM Finch Farm) to train.” Ancelotti named Bernard and Theo Walcott on the wing in Iwobi’s absence and is likely to stick with the pair against Newcastle.
Iwobi had been a regular for Everton before picking up the injury, but he won’t be missed. The 23-year-old has made 20 appearances in all competitions since his summer move from Arsenal, scoring and creating only three goals.
His only league goal for Everton came in their 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers (September 1, 2019) and he’s yet to register an assist. Whether he’d replace Bernard or Walcott on recent form remains to be seen.