Sean Dyche confirmed that James Tarkowski was absent from Everton’s Carabao Cup defeat to Southampton due to a back injury.
The centre-back, a key figure for the Toffees, missed the match as the club opted not to risk aggravating the issue. Everton ultimately exited the competition in disappointing fashion, losing 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
Everton’s early-season struggles continued with the defeat, as they have yet to secure a Premier League point.
Despite making eight changes to the side that lost 3-2 to Aston Villa the previous weekend, Dyche’s team still failed to progress to the next round.
Tarkowski’s absence was keenly felt, but Dyche remains optimistic that the defender will recover in time for the weekend clash against Leicester City.
“It’s his back. He’s been fighting his way through it. We’re hopeful it settles down in time for the weekend,” said the Everton boss.
In addition to Tarkowski’s injury, Everton were hit with a wave of illness just before the Southampton match. Vitalii Mykolenko, who had been forced off at Villa Park, was unable to recover in time. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Garner were also late withdrawals from the squad after contracting a sickness bug on the morning of the game.
Dyche was further hampered by the absence of Jarrad Branthwaite, Nathan Patterson, Seamus Coleman, Youssef Chermiti, and Armando Broja, all of whom were sidelined through injury. Reflecting on the situation, Dyche said:
“We wanted to win the game and we haven’t done, albeit it going to penalties, which is always tricky. The team was pieced together this morning with three players going down ill, and I think we gave as good as we could with the players available.”
With just 12 senior outfield players fit for selection, Everton were forced into a makeshift lineup. Dyche praised his players for their tactical understanding, considering the limited preparation time.
“We had an hour’s work to get the team that could look like a team, and some hadn’t played together before. I thought that was pleasing—they looked like a team that could tactically understand the challenge,” Dyche added.
Despite the illness and injuries, Dyche remained determined to win. Everton created enough chances to secure victory, but their finishing let them down.
“Some of the play was good at times, we opened them up enough to win the game but didn’t take the chances, and you go down on penalties.”
Looking ahead, Dyche hopes the illness that affected Calvert-Lewin, Garner, and Mykolenko is short-lived.
“Certainly, we hope to get the three illnesses back. From what we know, it’s a passing bug. It can feel like everything is against you,” he admitted, as Everton now turn their attention to the weekend and the hope of securing their first league points of the season.