Everton injuries worsen as full extent of James Tarkowski problem revealed

James Tarkowski is a doubt for Everton’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur due to concerns over a hamstring issue. The centre-back has not trained this week and is set to be assessed on Friday during the final preparations for Saturday’s match.

It is the second injury of the summer for Tarkowski, who left Everton’s fitness camp in Ireland early due to a glute complaint that cost him part of the pre-season.

The defender, captain in the absence of Seamus Coleman, has been an ever-present since signing for the club two years ago and featured in every Premier League game last season.

Speaking at Finch Farm, Sean Dyche described Tarkowski's issue as "a minor hamstring niggle that we have to be careful with".

The Blues boss said the player had been positive about his situation on Thursday and will be assessed on Friday to see whether he can feature against Spurs.

James Tarkowski’s injury comes amid wider problems at the back for Dyche.

He has to contend with injuries that have ruled senior right-backs Nathan Patterson and Coleman out of the start of the campaign as well as James Garner, who has played on the right of defence for Everton and England Under-21s.

Dyche said some of the injured players could be re-assessed on Friday but that neither Coleman, Patterson nor centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who had surgery on a groin issue at the start of the summer, are in contention for a return in north London.

The problems are exacerbated by the suspension of Ashley Young, who covered at right-back against Brighton & Hove Albion in Saturday's Premier League opener but was sent off for a foul on Kaoru Mitoma in the second half.