Everton travel to Southampton on Sunday ruing the two-match suspension handed to Oumar Niasse for simulation. A player who spent much of the past year with the Under-23 team has become the one beacon of hope for fans in this miserable season.
As recently as a few months ago, the idea Everton would rue the loss of Niasse felt incomprehensible, never mind that he would also be top scorer at the time. The fact that his absence is a genuine blow speaks volumes.
While Niasse embarks on a stirring resurrection, after former manager Ronald Koeman discarded him for most of his tenure, Everton are nursing a swift European exit and dismal league form.