Dwight McNeil injury latest: Everton hope for major boost ahead of Chelsea clash

Everton manager Sean Dyche says Dwight McNeil is "touch-and-go" with regards to being involved against Chelsea.

The 25-year-old missed the Toffees' goalless draw away at Arsenal last weekend with a knee injury having featured in 13 of the 14 previous Premier League matches.

James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam missed the game too, and remain sidelined for the visit of the west Londoners.

However, Everton are hopeful of welcoming McNeil back in what would be a major boost.

"Dwight is probably going to be touch-and-go," Dyche said in his pre-match press conference. "He's got a niggly knee that we're being careful with, so we're hopeful but we'll have to wait and see."

"Jimmy and Tim are still a bit behind the curve – they're making progress, though, so that's good. But that's not going to be quick progress at this stage.

"They are on the grass and starting to take soft steps back towards fitness."

The Merseyside outfit will also be without Armando Broja due to the terms of his loan agreement that prevents him from playing against his parent club.

Everton host the in-form Premier League side on Sunday afternoon, with Enzo Maresca set to be without Marc Cucurella, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Mykhailo Mudryk. Romeo Lavia is a doubt after missing the win over Brentford last weekend.