For the first time in eight Premier League matches, Nigeria international Alex Iwobi was not in Everton's matchday squad as they were beaten 1-0 by West Ham at Goodison Park on New Year's Day.
The official word from Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti is that the Super Eagles playmaker was not available for selection due to fatigue, with the number 17 starting each of the previous eight matches in all competitions and asked to play in an unfamiliar and tasking fullback position in some of the games.
Without Iwobi in the squad, Everton failed to win for the first time in five Premier League games as Tomas Soucek pounced to score from close range in the 86th minute to hand David Moyes his first win as a visiting manager to Goodison Park.
Speaking in a post-match press conference monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com, Ancelotti offered a timeframe for Iwobi's return, saying the Nigerian is in contention for the FA Cup clash vs Rotherham United on January 9.
"Both of them (Iwobi and Keane) will be available for the next game in the FA Cup, it was fatigue, nothing more," the Italian football tactician said.
"Michael, he wasn't the best, he didn't train in the last few days but he's okay and Alex Iwobi he'll be okay in the next days."
"Michael, he wasn't the best, he didn't train in the last few days but he's okay and Alex Iwobi he'll be okay in the next days."
Iwobi is five games away from reaching a 200-game milestone for his English clubs having made his professional debut for Arsenal in a League Cup game against Sheffield Wednesday in October 2015.
Igho Kingsley
Photo Credit : evertonfc.com
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All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
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