Everton have enjoyed a strong start to the season despite being hit by various injuries during the first two months of the campaign.
The Toffees won four of their opening five matches and despite a blip at Aston Villa before being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Championship Queens Park Rangers, Rafa Benitez’s side returned to winning ways last weekend with a 2-0 win over Norwich.
On Saturday, Everton head to Old Trafford for a lunchtime clash with Manchester United but could still be without a number of key players.
Here we take a look at who is sidelined and which players could make a return.
READ MORE: Five unexpected winners under Rafa Benitez as new Everton takes shape
Possible returns?
Any faint hope fans had of seeing Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Seamus Coleman back in action at Old Trafford was extinguished when Rafa Benitez, speaking at his pre-match press conference, confirmed the duo will miss out.
Both players were back in training this week and though they did not take part in a full session, it was encouraging to see the pair back on the grass and doing individual work.
While number nine Calvert-Lewin has not featured since the 2-0 victory over Brighton at the end of August after sustaining a quadriceps injury having been nursing a broken toe.
Captain Coleman, meanwhile, sustained a hamstring injury on international duty with the Republic of Ireland at the start of September.
He did manage to feature nine days later in the 3-1 comeback win over Burnley but has not played since.
The Manchester United game has come soon for the pair though supporters will be hoping they could be ready to face West Ham after the international break.
One player who did take part in the full session was Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Benitez revealed on Friday that the midfielder is back and available.
"JP is training again so is fully fit, he's ok," said the Spaniard. "Gbamin is good news because we needed bodies."
The Ivory Coast international has been limited to just one appearance so far this campaign - playing the full game at Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup - after his first two years at Goodison were beset by injury problems.
A tooth abscess followed by a thigh problem has kept him sidelined but he is now ready to return to the team.
Absences
Richarlison did not train but has been working hard in the gym all week as he bids to regain his fitness after being sidelined since the win over Burnley with a knee injury.
Andre Gomes, who did not feature in the win against Norwich, also missed the session and is out with a calf injury, according to the club’s official website and Benitez confirmed both he and Richarlison will not play against Manchester United.
Benitez also revealed Alex Iwobi, who played 89 minutes of the game against the Canaries last week, could also miss out.
"I will say that he has a little problem, I don't know if he will be available for tomorrow," Benitez admitted.
"I think the fans appreciate that he's giving everything on the pitch, we are working with him specifically on movement. I think he's improving, and we can still improve him."
