Lucas Digne faces lengthy absence from Everton team with ankle injury

Lucas Digne file photo
(Image credit: Peter Byrne)

Everton defender Lucas Digne is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines as an ankle injury sustained in training requires surgery.

The France left-back was hurt in training this week and the damage is such he has already been booked in for an operation on Monday.

It is a significant blow to Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti, who now has a big hole to fill in defence as the 27-year-old has been one of their most consistent performers over the last couple of years.

“Everton Football Club can confirm Lucas Digne has suffered an ankle ligament injury,” said a statement.

“The left-back was injured during a training session at USM Finch Farm this week.

“Digne is due to undergo surgery on Monday before commencing his rehabilitation under the care of the club’s medical staff.”

The Frenchman has missed only five Premier League matches since he joined the club in the summer of 2018 from Barcelona for £18million.

Ancelotti signed Niels Nkounkou in the summer following the retirement of Leighton Baines but the 20-year-old has been restricted to just one Premier League appearance and three Carabao Cup ties so far.

He he has featured in just two Premier League squads as an unused substitute aside from that one start in the defeat at Newcastle on November 1.

Digne has been Everton's most consistent performer over the last two years

Digne has been Everton’s most consistent performer over the last two years (Nick Potts/PA)

Other options open to Ancelotti include playing a centre-back, such as Mason Holgate, or a midfielder out of position, although the recent switch to 3-4-3 for Sunday’s win at Fulham may make the adaptation more straightforward with Alex Iwobi impressing as a right wing-back at Craven Cottage.

Digne could miss as many as 12 matches, including a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, if claims in France of a two-month lay-off are accurate.

Meanwhile, Everton midfielder Andre Gomes admits he is still trying to get back to full fitness after his horrific fracture dislocation to his right ankle 12 months ago.

“The truth is, I am still trying to find my best feeling, to get fit, to get ready to be 100 per cent for all the game,” the Portugal international told Everton’s matchday programme ahead of Saturday’s visit of Leeds.

“In the past months, with the pandemic, it was hard for me physically.

“When we came back after the first lockdown, I had a really small injury in one place, then something else in another place, because I was trying to compensate coming from the big injury.

“I came from a big injury and tried to get in perfect shape and feel really good on the pitch and work on that.

“It is part of my job to do my best to get back in the side. It has been hard this season.”

Latest in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed