Everton spent £25 million to acquire the services of defensive midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin from Mainz 05 last summer after identifying him as the perfect replacement for Idrissa Gueye. The Ivory Coast international has made just two appearances, totalling 135 minutes, since arriving at Goodison Park, and isn’t expected back on the training ground until November. Gbamin needed surgery on his injured quadriceps after picking up the problem while taking a shot during a training session at Finch Farm in August and was initially ruled out until January.
However, another surgery was required in February, ruling him out of action until April.