Leeds United's next opponents confirm major injury blow in 43-word statement
Everton have suffered another injury blow ahead of facing Leeds United on Monday.
Leeds United’s next opponents Everton have confirmed Jack Grealish has suffered a foot injury amid fears the winger could be out for several months.
Grealish played the full 90 minutes of Everton’s 1-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, his 20th Premier League appearance since joining on loan from Manchester City in the summer. The 30-year-old made his Toffees debut off the bench at Elland Road way back in August and has been one of David Moyes’ main creators with six assists and a couple of goals.
Everton welcome Leeds to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for that opening-weekend reverse fixture on Monday and it appears Grealish will not be involved. On Tuesday evening, the Merseyside club confirmed the presence of a foot injury to their marquee summer signing.
The Toffees have also confirmed their star winger will meet with a specialist. A statement published on X read: “Everton Football Club can confirm Jack Grealish has sustained a foot injury.
“Jack is currently under the care of the club’s medical team and will also be reviewed by a specialist in the coming days. Further updates will be provided in due course.”
While Everton’s official statement doesn’t provide detail regarding timelines, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Tuesday that Grealish may have suffered a stress fracture. There are fears the England international winger could be out for several months, with a swift comeback in time for Leeds looking virtually impossible.
Grealish is set to join fellow creative outlet Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the sidelines heading into Monday, with the latter suffering a hamstring injury against Chelsea late last year. Between them, the pair have contributed to 14 of their side’s 24 Premier League goals.
Jarrad Branthwaite is also currently sidelined with a hamstring injury that has kept him out all season, while fellow centre-back Michael Keane is suspended for Monday. Everton will welcome back Senegalese pair Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye following their African Cup of Nations success.
Leeds, meanwhile, will be without centre-back Jaka Bijol who is also sidelined with a hamstring injury. The Slovenian missed last weekend’s 1-0 win over Fulham, as did Anton Stach although there is hope the midfielder can return from an adductor strain in time to feature on Monday.