African adventure could be bumpy ride for Blues

MOYES SETS ABOUT SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS

- By JOE THOMAS

DRISSA Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye have left the Everton camp to join up with Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Both players started for the Blues in the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Gueye made an immediate return to the first XI following his three-match suspension after being sent off for his part in an altercation with Michael Keane in the 1-0 win at Manchester United on November 24, while Ndiaye struck the post with a late effort in a game that saw Everton create a series of chances.

With the stars scheduled to report for international duty on Monday, the ECHO takes a look at what their departure will mean for a side that has made progress this season - but which has done so with a thin squad that is now without two influential figures.

How long will they be gone for?

AFCON will run until the final on January 18, so Everton could be without Gueye and Ndiaye for up to seven games.

The extent of their absence will depend on how well Senegal do, with the earliest potential exit December 30 if they are eliminated in the three-game group stages.

That is unlikely given Pape Thiaw’s side head to Morocco as one of the favourites.