Abdoulaye Doucoure facing lengthy absence due to broken foot

Everton have been handed another injury blow, as midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has been ruled out for a lengthy spell through a broken foot.

The 28-year-old will undergo surgery after breaking a metatarsal, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.

Such news comes after Doucoure featured in every minute of the Toffees' first eight games of the Premier League season, netting two goals and providing four assists in those matches.

The Frenchman arrived from Watford at the beginning of last season, and he has featured 43 times for the Merseyside outfit, who now have to plan without the dynamic midfielder.

Rafael Benitez is also currently having to deal with the injuries to attacking duo Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, with summer signing Salomon Rondon stepping into the front line and Tom Davies reportedly being lined up for a more important midfield role in Doucoure's absence.