Wolves vs Everton news: David Moyes says Seamus Coleman is ‘nearer’ to a return

by Jon Shea

Everton travel to Molineux to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend, bidding to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to eight matches. 

If the Toffees win the Saturday night clash, they could maintain their 15-point gap on the bottom three.

Team news

David Moyes confirmed that Armando Broja and Seamus Coleman are close to returning to the squad. 

Youseff Chermiti could feature this weekend – he was an unused substitute against Brentford in the Toffees’ last outing.

Illiman Ndiaye and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are still expected to be out until at least April.

Trip to the UAE and long break

Following Everton’s draw against Brentford at the end of February, Moyes and his players used their long break to train in a warmer climate. 

“It went well, we had a good few days away”, the Everton boss said. “Over the course of the year, the players and the staff have had it pretty tough here, they deserved a little time in the sunshine.

“It (the long break) has certainly helped me have a bit more time with the players, train a bit easier in the sun, talk about how we’re doing.”

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Unbeaten run

Everton have not lost a league match since the defeat to Aston Villa in Moyes’ first game back, but the Scotsman is not getting carried away yet.

“I think when I look back, I will think it’s a big achievement but while you’re in, all you think about is the next game,” he said.

“If you had said to me when I come in that we would have a period where we would be seven unbeaten, I’d shake your hand and say, ‘thanks very much.’”

Everton are unbeaten away from home under Moyes with two wins and a draw, and he heaped praise on the players, saying: “We want to keep it up. They (the players) have done a really good job. It is something we have to build on, keep improving and make progress.

“I’m certainly not thinking that we’re safe yet.”

Opposition view

Moyes was quick to praise Wolves ahead of Saturday’s match, adding: “I think they’ve done a really good job at Wolves, and I think they’ve got themselves back on track.

“They have played well in a few games – they had a really good win at Bournemouth (league game) and ran them close in the cup.

“It’s a hugely difficult game, but I think that about any away game in the Premier League – we have to attempt to go to Wolves and give as good a show as we can.”

Moyes recognises the importance of the match for both sides, saying: “They desperately need the points as well, it’s a game near the bottom of the league – I wish it wasn’t, but that’s what it is.”

Wolves will be without their star man Matheus Cunha after the Brazilian was sent off in the cup defeat at Bournemouth. 

“They’re without a really important player, but we are without really key players as well, Dominic (Calvert-Lewin), Ili (Ndiaye) being out of the team – we’ve had that situation as well – it’s part of football,” said the Everton boss

Strange kick-off time

Everton’s kick-off time is an unusual time on Saturday with an 8pm kick-off. 

Moyes gave his feelings on the arrangement, saying: “I’m normally a bottle of wine down by that time on a Saturday night!

“I think we’re all getting climatised to different kick-off times. I think if you’re a traditionalist, you probably don’t see it as a good footballing time.”

Moyes on Leighton Baines

David Moyes brought his former left-back Leighton Baines in as his first-team coach when he returned to Everton, and he is delighted with his progress. 

“He’s playing a huge role, and I’ve been impressed with him. There’s a lot of really good young coaches out there, and I’d put Leighton in that category as well,” he said.

On Ramadan 

Several players in Everton’s team will be doing Ramadan, and Moyes backed his players during their fasting, saying: “All managers have this situation, having boys doing Ramadan – we all support it and back it. 

“(I’m) a big supporter of the boys who do it, and I’ll try to back them all the way to the end.

“We have three or four players doing it at the moment, the authorities do a good job of ensuring breaks for the players who need it.”

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