Gueye gone for most of January

Everton’s key midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye will represent Senegal in the 2017 African Cup of Nations and will not be available. While this was known and expected all along, his selection to the national side and confirmation earlier today by Ronald Koeman has now brought this to the forefront of fan’s minds.

The midfielder is expected to play against Southampton on 2nd January, and then jet off to join up with the Senegal squad. The competition is being held in Gabon, with the Lions of Teranga second favorites to lift the trophy behind the Ivory Coast.

Senegal are in Group B with Algeria, Tunisia and Zimbabwe - they play their first group game on the 15th, and last on the 23rd. The quarter finals are scheduled for the 28th with the final on February 5th.

The Toffees schedule for that period is -

Sat 7th Jan - Everton vs Leicester City (FA Cup Third Round)

Sun 15th Jan - Everton vs Manchester City (Premier League)

Sat 21st Jan - Everton at Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Sat 28th Jan - TBD (FA Cup Fourth Round)

Wed 1st Feb - Everton at Stoke City (Premier League)

Sat 4th Feb - Everton vs AFC Bournemouth (Premier League)

Sat 11th Feb - Everton at Middlesbrough (Premier League)

Gueye has quickly made himself an indispensable part of this team’s defence in the short period he has been with the Blues, and the fans’ reaction to his forthcoming absence is quite clear.