Craig Shakespeare: 'Sam Allardyce absence for Everton Europa game is not ideal'

Craig Shakespeare has claimed that Sam Allardyce's inability to take charge of Everton's Europa League game against Apollon Limassol is "not ideal", but the new manager will be taking control from afar.

Allardyce, who became Ronald Koeman's permanent successor last week, will miss Thursday's group match due to a "prior medical arrangement".

The Merseyside outfit are already out of the second-tier competition, having failed to win any of their five Group E matches so far.

"The manager picks the teams and tactics and will always ask your opinion," the Liverpool Echo quotes Shakespeare as saying.

"Sam has a prior medical arrangement. It is not ideal. But he is fine, ok, he will be back at the training ground on Thursday or Friday.

"I will speak to him and find out what he wants to do. It is a fresh start for us all. Management and players, a fresh start. Fringe players should see it as an opportunity to force their way into the team."

Allardyce has overseen one victory since taking charge of the Toffees.