Everton striker set for lengthy injury absence

Everton’s hopes of raising funds through the sale of Cenk Tosun this summer have been dealt a blow with the news that the Turkey forward has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and will undergo surgery next week.

Tosun has been on loan at Crystal Palace since January but has since returned to Finch Farm to begin his rehabilitation after suffering the injury in training.

He made five appearances for Roy Hodgson’s side, scoring once.

It is, of course, a huge blow to the player, who hoped for regular first-team football at Palace in order to secure his place in the Turkey side at Euro 2020. That now seems unlikely as this injury is almost certain to keep him out until the end of the season and beyond.

Previous examples of players with ACL injuries have kept them out for between six and nine months, which would mean being sidelined well into the start of next season.

The news is also a significant blow for Everton as they were hoping to sell Tosun this summer. The club are right on the limit of Financial Fair Play regulations so are keen to lighten the wage bill, with Tosun one of a handful of squad players who could command a significant fee.

There was a £20million option to buy clause in his Palace loan contract but that will obviously not now be taken up.

If he is sidelined until the end of the year then he will be in the final 18 months of his contract by the time he returns to action, meaning his value will be significantly reduced.

Tosun has scored 10 goals in 51 appearances for Everton since joining from Besiktas for a reported £27million in January 2018.