Will Yerry Mina be available for Everton vs West Ham with Colombia on England’s Covid-19 travel red list?

It will be a blow for the Toffees if they are without the centre-back for Sunday’s game.
By Will Rooney
Published 12th Oct 2021, 17:49 BST
Updated 13th Oct 2021, 07:00 BST
Everton defender Yerry Mina. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesEverton defender Yerry Mina. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images
Everton defender Yerry Mina. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Yerry Mina’s taken his excellent Everton form into the international break.

The centre-back is thriving for Colombia in their World Cup qualifiers. He’s helped his country keep clean sheets against Uruguay and Brazil, nullifying two of the world’s best strikers in Luis Suarez and Neymar respectively in two goalless stalemates.

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Rafa Benitez will be desperate to get Mina back to Goodison Park as the Toffees continue their bid for European football this season.

Will Mina have to quarantine?

However, Colombia is one of the seven remaining countries on England’s COVID-19 travel red list after rules changed earlier this month.

Anyone arriving from the South American country must isolate in a managed hotel for 10 days - even if doubled vaccinated.

Yerry Mina argues with Neymar during Colombia’s goalless draw against Brazil. Picture: Guillermo Legaria/Getty ImagesYerry Mina argues with Neymar during Colombia’s goalless draw against Brazil. Picture: Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images
Yerry Mina argues with Neymar during Colombia’s goalless draw against Brazil. Picture: Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images

Luckily, the government has now relaxed rules for footballers who’ve had both jabs returning from international duty in red-list areas.

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They have to quarantine in “bespoke facilities” for 10 days and are allowed to leave once a day for training or a game.

Will he be available for the next game?

That’s fortunate for Everton, although they still may be without Mina for Sunday’s clash against West Ham United (14.00 BST).

Colombia do not play their final game of the break against Ecuador until Thursday. Kick-off is at 22.00 BST.

By the time Mina arrives back in England, there will be concerns over jet lag and if he’s had enough recovery time.

Who could replace Mina?

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If he’s not available, Benitez will still have cover to play alongside Michael Keane in central defence.

Everton defender Michael Keane. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesEverton defender Michael Keane. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Everton defender Michael Keane. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The natural replacement is Ben Godfrey. He’s been deputising at right-back while Seamus Coleman has been sidelined.

Coleman is closing in on his return from a hamstring injury, though, having been back training before the international break.

Yet Godfrey may need to fill in on the left-hand side of defence. Lucas Digne has returned from France duty early after suffering a hamstring issue of his own.

If Digne is unavailable then the Toffees would turn to Mason Holgate. He’s played four times so far this season.

Youngster Jarrad Branthwaite is also an option.

Related topics:ColombiaRafa BenitezWest HamCovid-19