Arnaut Danjuma set for Everton run out as Sean Dyche welcomes winger's return
Arnaut Danjuma could feature for Everton's Unders on Friday night as part of efforts to complete his return to the first team
Sean Dyche believes the comeback of Arnaut Danjuma after a two-month absence will be a significant boost for Everton’s final weeks of the campaign.
The winger is on the brink of returning to first-team action having fought to overcome an ankle injury suffered in the draw at Fulham on January 30.
Danjuma is set to be considered for Everton’s Under-21s' Friday night fixture against Blackburn Rovers. If he plays, he will be assessed ahead of the senior side’s trip to Chelsea on Monday night.
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While Danjuma is expected to take time to get up to full-match fitness, his return to the periphery of the squad would come at a crucial time for Dyche and Everton. The Blues boss has had his already limited attacking options restricted in recent months after first Danjuma, then Lewis Dobbin, suffered long-term ankle injuries.
Both played minor roles during the first half of the season but Danjuma had forced his way into Dyche’s thinking during January’s injury crisis and was closing on a full 90 minutes at Craven Cottage when he limped off in the final stages. Everton earned a hard-fought point that night, but one that extended a winless run that only ended on Saturday with the victory over Burnley.
The Blues' lack of firepower was one of the factors in that 13-game streak and, with Dyche having experimented with his attacking options recently, it is likely Danjuma would have received opportunities in the hunt for answers.
Should he complete his recovery, the Netherlands international will be a vital addition to the squad as Everton face a third consecutive challenging fight to stay in the Premier League. It is a plight that has been made more severe by the two-point deduction imposed on Monday - the second faced by the club this season.
Ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge, Dyche welcomed Danjuma’s progress. He said: “I think every return helps. Everyone who we can get fit and who can stay fit is bound to help. It gives you more options, and it gives you more both starting options and from the bench.”