Keane discovers extent of head injury, sends message to fans

Everton central defender Michael Keane has sustained a small hairline fracture of the skull after clashing heads with Idrissa Gueye in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

Keane, who had earlier headed the Blues into a 2-0 lead with his first league goal for the club, should resume full training in three to four weeks, when he will be able to partake in head contact again.

The 25-year-old was attempting to clear the ball in the dying minutes of the game when he clashed with team-mate Gueye, and was admitted to Poole Hospital after being stretchered off the pitch in a neck brace.

In a statement posted on the official Everton website, Keane, who was released from hospital this morning, said:

“Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes and support.

“I’m okay but suffered a small hairline fracture of the skull which will heal itself and means I won’t be able to have any head contact for three to four weeks.

“I will be back with my team and back on the pitch as soon as I can after that.

“I also want to say a huge thank you to the medical staff at Everton and Bournemouth as well as all those at Poole Hospital for their excellent treatment and care.”

Keane joins fellow centre-half Yerry Mina on the injury list, with the new signing expected to make his Everton debut in September once he has recovered from a metatarsal problem.

In their absence, Chelsea loanee Kurt Zouma is expected to deputise, with Phil Jagielka still suspended for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Rotherham following his red card at Wolverhampton.