Everton handed injury boost ahead of Ipswich Town as three others could also return

Iliman Ndiaye came off the bench for Senegal to allay any fears he could miss Everton’s next fixture.

The forward limped off in his country’s 4-0 win over Malawi last week. However, Ndiaye’s ankle was not serious and he managed to get minutes under his belt in the return clash against Malawi today. Ndiaye was introduced on the hour mark, with Goodison Park team-mate Idrissa Gana Gueye being withdrawn as Senegal earned a 1-0 triumph in the African Cup of Nations qualifier.

The pair will now head back to Merseyside, with Ndiaye all but set to be involved in Everton’s trip to Ipswich Town on Saturday. Ndiaye has made a fine start since signing for Everton from Marseille in the summer transfer window, scoring two goals in nine appearances and has already established himself as a fans’ favourite.

The ex-Sheffield United man boosts Sean Dyche’s attacking options and the Blues could welcome back three more players at Portman Road. Jarrad Branthwaite (thigh) and Vitalii Mykolenko missed the 0-0 draw against Newcastle United, with the latter pulling out of Ukraine’s squad for the international break. However, both were minor issues and they could be available.

Meanwhile, Nathan Patterson may be in contention to feature on the bench. The right-back suffered a serious hamstring injury last April and has been on the comeback trail. But Patterson has played three times for Everton under-21s - most recently getting 90 minutes under his belt in a 4-2 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Patterson will have used the hiatus of the campaign to continue building fitness and could be in Dyche’s selection thoughts.

Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti (both ankle) remain absent while Seamus Coleman has been absent for a month with a calf problem. Everton head to Ipswich against the backdrop of three games unbeaten before the international break.