Rafa Benitez was coy when asked if Lucas Digne had made it clear he wants to leave Everton.
Digne was due to be recalled to the Blues squad for Thursday night's game with Chelsea but reported ill today and has been ruled out.
Everton's injury problems have worsened with the news that Richarlison and Andros Townsend face extended spells on the sidelines, while Seamus Coleman is rated as doubtful for the game at Stamford Bridge.
Digne was in line to play for the first time in three matches having been left out of the squad following disagreements with Benitez, but has ruled himself out of the game.
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Benitez was asked if Digne, who joined Everton in the summer of 2018, had told him he wants to leave, and said: "I cannot talk about my conversation with him.
"What I can say is that yesterday he was in the 11 starters and the idea [of the game plan], today he is ill and is not available.
"Thinking about the future, I have just to concentrate the next game."
At his pre-match press conference, Benitez was also asked if he believed Digne was ill, and replied: "It is not that I believe or not.
"I have been in football for so many years and I have so many experiences similar to this one and it is a question of making a decision.
"I have to be sure that the players that will be there tomorrow want to be there and they want to fight for the club and that’s it."
