Everton manager Sean Dyche has revealed that midfielder Amadou Onana missed Everton's Premier League encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion due a minor calf issue.
Dyche was forced into changing his side due to Onana's absence, leading to Idrissa Gueye coming into the side's midfield for Saturday's 1-1 draw with the Seagulls.
Onana had started every match for both club and country so far this season, featuring in all 10 Premier League games prior to this weekend, as well as Everton's three EFL Cup victories which has seen them reach the quarter-finals.
In addition to club commitments, the Belgian has also represented his country in three Euro 2024 qualifiers, but was suspended for the eventually-abandoned clash with Sweden after being sent off late on in their win in Austria.
While not going into specifics on the severity or time scale of a return, Dyche confirmed that a tight calf was the reason for the player's absence.
"Amadou, unfortunately, has been playing with a really tight calf and it has just been too much for him after Wednesday (versus Burnley)".
Onana was on the scoresheet as Everton swept Burnley aside in their fourth round EFL Cup tie in midweek, scoring the second in a resounding 3-0 win.
However, the 22-year-old was missing as Everton and Brighton shared the spoils at Goodison Park on Saturday, with Ashley Young's late own goal denying the Toffees a sixth win in eight games.
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The Everton faithful will hope to have the midfielder back for their trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace next week - their final match before the international break.
Onana's absence seriously stretched Everton's midfield options as Dyche was unable to name any out-and-out midfielders on the bench for the clash with Brighton.
Gueye came into the side to partner Everton's only other two fit central midfielders in James Garner and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Andre Gomes has been missing for almost all of the season so far and could be on his way out, while Dele Alli is also nursing fitness concerns of his own.
Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco will also be keeping a close eye on the situation before naming his squad for November's internationals.
The Red Devils have already secured a place at Euro 2024 thanks to their win in Austria last month, but have a friendly against Serbia in the next international window before finishing their qualifying campaign at home to Azerbaijan.
Andrew Delaney
