Everton will be without James Rodriguez for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle as Premier League leaders look to return to victory
Carlo Ancelotti’s side slipped to their first campaign loss to Southampton last weekend, but other results have gone their way to leave the Toffees at the top of the table
Rodriguez played all 90 minutes against the Saints as Ancelotti raised concerns about his fitness ahead of the game
Now, however, the former Real Madrid player will be missed at St James ’Park after having started life well in Merseyside
« We have Jonjoe Kenny back and (Jarrad) Branthwaite James will not be available, and we have (Seamus) Coleman away and Richarlison and Lucas Digne suspended, » Ancelotti said when asked for the latest news from the team
« He (Rodriguez) has played every game He had a little problem so he needs to rest for this game and he will be available for the next game »
Richarlison will serve second in a three-game ban while Digne will go missing following his red card in the defeat at Southampton
With a number of key men missing, Ancelotti believes his players now have the perfect opportunity to prove how strong his team are
« I think the fact that we have players outside, it’s important to know the real quality of the team, » he said
« The opportunity for other players to play and show their quality and help the team stay on top
« It was not a good day against Southampton We have moved forward and we are preparing well for this game
« It’s important, we want to stay at the top of the table if possible We know that playing against Newcastle is always difficult We are focused, this group, and we have confidence in this game »
Everton, along with Aston Villa and Leeds, were the surprise packages of the first weeks of the new season
All three teams have taken more points than more imaginary opponents such as Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City, and Ancelotti believes this is an advantage for the league
“At the start of the season there were a lot of weird results, but that means there is more competitiveness in the Premier League
« It’s good for the league and important for small teams on paper It shows that they have more ambition »
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Everton FC, Newcastle United FC, Premier League, Steve Bruce, James Rodríguez, Carlo Ancelotti
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