How Everton could line up against West Ham United

By Brett Curtis | 07 May 2021 15:47, Last updated: 04 Jun 2025 23:31

Everton have been rocked by the news that James Rodriguez will not travel to east London to face West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Colombian midfielder has suffered numerous injuries during a stop-start debut campaign in England, with the latest being a calf knock sustained during the warm-up prior to Everton's 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa last weekend.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted in his press conference on Friday that the issue is "minor", though, while revealing that he hopes to have the 29-year-old available for the reverse fixture against Villa on Thursday.

However, there was positive news in the shape of Abdoulaye Doucoure's imminent return from a foot injury.

The former Watford midfielder has not featured since going off injured against West Bromwich Albion in March, and he appears to be in the frame to start against West Ham.

Alex Iwobi, who was Rodriguez's last-minute replacement in the starting lineup against Villa last weekend, could be the man to make way for Doucoure having failed to impress in the defeat.

England defender Michael Keane could also return to the side having missed the previous two matches, with one of Seamus Coleman or Mason Holgate's place in the side potentially under threat should Ancelotti utilise a conventional back four system.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin and youngster Tyler Onyango are almost certainly ruled out for the rest of the campaign due to knee and ankle injuries respectively.

Everton possible starting lineup: Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Godfrey, Digne; Doucoure, Allan, Gomes; Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin

> Click here to see how West Ham United could line up for this clash