Latest News On Injured Players & Possible Returns

By John P
September 22 2005

The home game against Wigan should become a big turning point for Everton's slow start to the season. Moyes will be welcoming back James Beattie and its now been revealed that Andy Van Der Meyde will play a part in the match.

James Beattie has been suffering from a re-ocurring injury that has troubled his season so far, and ruled him out of the vital games against Bucharest and Arsenal. It is believed that James has started training successfully with the squad and may even start the match against Wigan.

But the biggest news will be that of the home debut of Andy Van Der Meyde who may be appearing as a substitute after he was taken off the injury list at Goodison Park. VDM was signed on the last day of the transfer window and has yet to play in an Everton shirt due to injury. The dutchman can play as a winger either down the left or right which, at the moment, are two problem areas as Simon Davies struggles against shin splints, that have so far ruled him out of playing a full ninety minutes for Everton, and Kevin Kilbane has been ineffective so far this season. Along with VDM, McFadden has also stepped up domestically and has been providing some attacking options for Moyes, down that left hand side, but has lacked serious penetration.

Pistone has had a successful operation that has saved his cartlidge. Although the player will not be appearing again for Everton this season it will mean that he will not have to take early retirement through injury and a long hard road of rehabilitation lies ahead.

"He will go back to America next month to have the cruciate reconstruction and he is almost certainly going to miss the whole season." Mick Rathbone