Silva provides fitness updates on Gomes, Delph & Iwobi

Everton take on Watford FC tomorrow for their Goodison Park season opener, and manager Marco Silva is already facing a personnel crisis, especially in midfield.

In last week’s 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace, the Blues saw Andre Gomes leave the game before the half with an ankle issue, and then had Morgan Schneiderlin sent off late after picking up two bookings.

Fabian Delph was injured in the last preseason game and new signing Jean-Philippe Gbamin was pushed into service despite not being fully fit and having trained with the side just a handful of times.

Speaking to the media earlier today, Silva gave an update on the injury situation facing his midfield.

“Still a doubt for Andre Gomes. Let’s see how he will be tomorrow. Possibly will be on the squad list but we’ll see tomorrow.

“Fabian Delph is still out. We have to wait some more days and I hope he can start with the team next week, but let’s see what condition he is in at the beginning of the week.

“Leighton Baines has started working with the team this week also, and all the others are okay.”

Deadline day addition Alex Iwobi has been training with the squad this week

“Now it’s a matter for us to put him in the best physical condition possible.

“Of course we try to do it as fast as possible. It was a difficult week for him, but that’s normal. It was difficult last week for JP Gbamin also. It’s what it is.

“Alex is working really hard and well, like all the others. It’s up to me whether I put Alex in the squad tomorrow.”

If Gomes is not fit to start tomorrow, then we could likely see a midfield of Gbamin and Tom Davies tomorrow. Youngster Dennis Adeniran has been training with the seniors, and could even make it to the bench for the Watford visit.