Senegal provide new Iliman Ndiaye injury update - and Everton fans will be pleasantly surprised

Senegal boss Pape Thiaw has revealed that Iliman Ndiaye has been in training - and could feature against Malawi tomorrow.

The Everton forward limped off in the Lions of Teranga’s 4-0 victory over Malawi last week. Ahead of the return clash in Lilongwe, Ndiaye was not spotted training with the rest of his team-mates. That heightened fears that the £15 million summer signing from Marseille could be a doubt for Everton’s trip to Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Saturday.

However, Thiaw has allayed fears and suggested that Ndiaye could play against Malawi. The Senegal interim head coach said at a pre-match press conference (via DSports): “Iliman was injured in the last match. Yesterday he trained at the hotel. Today, he is at my disposal. We will see if he will be a starter tomorrow. I do not want to reveal my team here.”

Ndiaye has made a fine start to his Everton career, scoring two goals in nine appearance, and quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite. The Blues will already be without attacking duo Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti (both foot) against Ipswich.

But Sean Dyche’s side will hope to welcome back Jarrad Branthwaite (thigh) and Vitalii Mykolenko (calf) after they missed the 0-0 draw against Newcastle United. Nathan Patterson has made three appearances for the under-21s having suffered a serious hamstring issue last April and could be in contention to return to Everton’s squad. Seamus Coleman (calf) has been absent for a month.

The 15th-placed Blues head to Ipswich on the back of a three-match unbeaten streak - and are one point and one place above their hosts in the Premier League table.