View: Sean Dyche handed fresh concern as star absent v Salford City

Sean Dyche will be rather frustrated after his Everton team suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of League Two side Salford City on Saturday (27 July).

The Toffees headed into the game off the back of a 3-3 draw with Sligo Rovers, with Youssef Chermiti an unlikely hero, scoring two goals in a minute to salvage a draw.

Hopes were not high before facing Salford at The Peninsula Stadium, and fans were even more concerned after the club confirmed the squad ahead of the tie.

While Jack Harrison returned to the starting XI after completing a second loan move from Leeds United, new signing Iliman Ndiaye was nowhere to be seen, not even as a substitute.

Everton signed the Senegalese forward on a £15million deal from Marseille earlier this summer [BBC Sport], helping to reinforce the Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto partnership up front.

However, Dyche’s side had to push forward without the 24-year-old in the squad despite impressing in training before even more difficult matchups against Coventry City, Preston North End and Roma.

Worries emerge as Iliman Ndiaye missing for Everton v Salford City

Thoughts amongst the fans have already turned to possible injuries for the new forward, who has provided a lot of hope for the attacking third of the Toffees’ squad.

While Calvert-Lewin hit a purple patch towards the end of last season, he was only able to notch seven Premier League goals across the campaign, with Beto only scoring five times since arriving last summer.

Of course, Neal Maupay has now returned to the side after a successful loan spell at Brentford, but fans were very keen for Dyche to add another forward to his ranks.

Only Sheffield United scored fewer Premier League goals than the Toffees last term and Ndiaye was supposed to provide a new attacking threat going into the 2024/25 campaign.

With the striker now missing out on the clash against Salford, though, the Evertonians may have another injury worry to deal with.

In other Everton news, Manchester United signing Joshua Zirkzee once headed to Goodison Park without permission from his club.

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