Wayne Rooney puts pundit right on Vitalii Mykolenko as Everton man suffers new injury

Wayne Rooney told the real story of Vitalii Mykolenko’s season in the face of claims the defender had lacked aggression for Everton.

Former Blues striker Rooney stressed the importance of the left-back to Sean Dyche’s side, praising him for his growth since arriving on Merseyside. Those comments came in contrast to fellow BBC pundit Martin Keown’s questioning of Mykolenko's campaign in the Premier League.

Their counter-comments were made around Ukraine’s draw with Belgium - which the 25-year-old was unable to finish after suffering what appeared to be his third injury in two months.

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Everton will be keeping a watchful eye on Mykolenko’s fitness after the defender limped off the pitch just before the hour mark on Wednesday. It was his first start of the European Championship but ended with frustration after he pulled up shortly after preventing Timothy Castagne from getting beyond him.

His withdrawal came after he ended last season on the fitness table after suffering an ankle injury in the Merseyside derby win in April. Mykolenko recovered in time to make his national side’s pre-Euros friendlies but suffered another ankle issue in a match with Moldova. MRI scans showed it was not serious and he remained in the squad as it headed to Germany - recovering to make his first start in Stuttgart.

After signalling that he was injured and needed to be withdrawn, Mykolenko showed the bravery that has been a characteristic of his time at the Blues when he threw himself in the way of a Jeremy Doku effort - his final action of the match. As he limped around the side of the pitch, Keown, who spent nearly four years at Goodison Park during the late 80s and early 90s, sparked frustration among watching Everton supporters as he said: “He’s certainly played with more aggression than I have seen him playing for Everton this season.”

Mykolenko fought his way into the starting line-up after Ashley Young started the season at left-back and grew into one Dyche’s most trusted players during the campaign. Two goals in a week in autumn - at home to Brighton & Hove Albion and then at Crystal Palace - underscored his importance and Everton’s growing belief after a tough start to the season. He was particularly impressive in both derbies - playing through injury to help his side protect a lead going into half-time in the Goodison win back in April.

Rooney offered genuine insight into Mykolenko’s rising prominence to the Blues in the pre-match coverage when he explained: “I think he’s gradually got better at Everton. I think at the start of his career at Everton there were a few questions about him but I think over the last two years he’s done really well for Everton.

“He’s been a mainstay in the team and to keep [Arsenal player, Oleksandr] Zinchenko, I know he’s played in midfield for Ukraine as well, but to keep him out of the team he’s doing something right. He’s an important player, certainly for Ukraine but for Everton he’s been an important player as well.”