Ancelotti gives squad update ahead of Chelsea trip

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has said Seamus Coleman will play no part in Sunday’s game at Chelsea, but revealed a return for Lucas Digne is a possibility.

Coleman limped off in the first half of the 1-1 home draw with Manchester United, and Ancelotti expects him to miss this weekend’s clash and the Merseyside derby on March 16.

But Digne, who has not played since February 8 due to a muscle strain, may feature on Sunday, as Ancelotti faces Chelsea for the first time since being sacked by the club in May 2011.

Ancelotti also gave an update on Cenk Tosun, who returned from his loan spell at Crystal Palace and is set to have knee surgery:

“Seamus Coleman is not available. He had a muscular problem in the game against Manchester United. He will be out for at least two games, and then we’ll see. Cenk Tosun, who came back from Crystal Palace, is going to have surgery next week.

“The others are in good condition; Lucas Digne is good.”

On Tosun, who could miss up to six months of football including the summer European Championships, Ancelotti sympathised with the striker, but promised that he and the club will offer him as much support as he needs:

“In football, injuries happen. He will have our total support here. He is going to recover here and I hope everything will be OK, and that he can recover soon.”

Ancelotti also spoke to his delight that Mason Holgate signed a new five-year deal with the Blues on Tuesday as a reward for his excellent form this season.

And the Italian added that Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton’s top scorer with 15 goals, is close to agreeing a new contract of his own:

“I’m pleased. As I’ve said before, Holgate is going to be the future of this club. It’s important for him and for us to renew his contract, to have stability here.

“We are close to Dominic Calvert-Lewin also, and I hope he’s going to sign soon. They are talking, they are very close, so he’s going to sign soon. The idea for the future is really clear.”

Another new contract potentially awaits Leighton Baines, 35, who was superb in the draw with United but whose current deal expires in June.

Ancelotti said he hopes Baines extends his 13-year association with his boyhood club further, given how much he values his experience, his ability as a footballer and his personality:

“There is a possibility. We are going to talk with him about what he’s going to do. For the club, for me, for his team-mates, it will be important to have him for next season. He has shown a fantastic attitude in training and in games.

“He’s really important for us. He’s still a good player, he’s physically good, but he has the experience and the personality that is important for our squad.”