Everton boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed that he will be missing 11 players due to injury and Covid-19 for their Boxing Day match against Burnley and is frustrated by the Premier League’s refusal to postpone the game.The Toffees have been ravaged by injuries this season and have played a big part in their woeful run in the premier league this season where they lie 14th in the log with 19 points despite starting the season so strongly.“We have six injuries and five players with Covid. I think it is not fair. We were expecting the game to be postponed like the others. So I am really surprised that the game is going ahead,” the tactician said.There is a silver lining from the injuries and Covid cases as the tactician revealed that he could now turn to their U-23 team to get the numbers. One of their u23 players who could benefit from this is Kenyan prospect, Tyler Onyango. The young midfielder has made two premier league appearances this season (both as stoppage time sub) and the high number of absentees could see him handed more playtime by the Spanish coach who is said to be a big admirer of the lanky midfielder.Another impressive display! 💪Anthony Gordon provided a stunning assist as Everton drew 1-1 at Chelsea, before making way for fellow Unique client Tyler Onyango in added time#BeUnique pic.twitter.com/M18bnxDF3c— Unique Sports Group (@UniqueSG) December 17, 2021 “It’s tough for all our staff. We don’t know who is available on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes it’s a nightmare because we have to call the U23s and bring more players in. We try to do everything right, we follow all the rules, including three dressing rooms, lateral flows every day and I know some other teams don’t do that. So maybe we are punished for that,” he added.Benitez however admits that it will not be easy against a team like Burnley and is afraid that things could go wrong with some players returning after contracting covid.“My main job now is to have 11 players who can compete in the right positions against Burnley. It is not easy. If you have players coming back from covid, you have to take control of them. What will happen if something is wrong?” he concluded.
