PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Idrissa Gueye - Everton feel pressure without Senegal star

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Thursday Mar 15, 2018. 10:00

Everton FC suffered a major blow ahead of their English Premier League match against Brighton and Hove Albion at Goodison Park last weekend.

Senegal international Gueye, who was ruled out just hours before kick-off due to illness and Everton manager Sam Allardyce had to make changes to his starting line-up.

Allardyce drafted in Tom Davies and asked the Wayne Rooney to play as the Blues' deep-lying figure in the middle of the park.

The Toffees went on to secure a 2-0 win over Brighton and they returned to winning ways in the league

“We live under pressure and the pressure has been on this week, we all felt it,” Allardyce said on Liverpool Echo.

“You can only get the response from the players you need and I have to say, after the hiccup of losing Gana first thing this morning to illness.

“We were left a bit wanting in terms of who could play defensive midfield and that's why I'm so pleased about Wayne and what he did today.”

It remains to be seen whether Gueye will shrug off his illness and make his return against Stoke City in a league game on Saturday.

The encounter will be played at the Bet365 Stadium in Stattfordshire.