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Diafra Sakho has still not been handed the all-clear for the match against Everton this weekend.
The striker – having learned that police will take no action against him after a recent arrest – will be given until Saturday morning to show he has fully recovered from the hip “tweak” he felt in training he felt before the game against Watford.
And should he not make it then Enner Valencia looks certain to take his place as the striker putting in the hard miles aimed at stretching the Everton defence.
And that in turn will mean Andy Carroll will return to the bench after a disappointing 90 minutes against Watford at Vicarage Rad on Saturday.
ClaretandHugh learned this morning that the chances of Sakho’s involvement are around 60/40 in his favour as the hip issue has “not entirely gone way.”
A source told us: “He has a real chance which is encouraging because at one stage it looked like a definite two game absence.
“Enner Valencia – having had a decent run-out on Saturday is now virtually match fit and more similar in style to Sakho so may get a shout to do that job if it’s required.”