Team news for Everton trip

By the time we travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday, 13 days will have elapsed since our 1-1 draw at West Ham United, last time out.

Naturally, after the break in action, the boss was asked about the state of his squad during his press conference.

Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu is still a while away from appearing, after he suffered a muscle injury during the 3-2 win at Arsenal in January.

Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount have also been missing in recent weeks, and Michael revealed the latter is approaching a return.

De Ligt is also making progress, as he seeks a comeback from the back issue that has kept him sidelined since late November.

“Yeah, Mason's getting closer. I think we're going to be patient as well, and we have been patient with him, so we don't want to push anything," he told reporters.

“He's an important part of the group, Mason, and we want him back and fit and he'll have a big impact for us. So, he's getting closer, which is good for us.

“Matta, a little bit working towards it, but as I said last week, he's a little bit behind Mason, really, so we're just trying to work with him, to progress him, to get him a bit closer.”

EVERTON TEAM NEWS

The Toffees have also gone almost a fortnight without a game, since their 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth on 10 February.

David Moyes is set to hold his own press conference this Friday afternoon, but two Blues will definitely miss out when United come to town.

Jake O'Brien is suspended, following his red card against the Cherries, while Jack Grealish is out for the remainder of the campaign having undergone surgery to fix a fractured foot.

Seamus Coleman hasn't featured since the reverse fixture but is ready to be called upon, according to Moyes.

"Seamus is fit and available, so we've got people we can choose. We'll move on from it. [O'Brien] got sent off and these things happen."