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Yerry Mina unable to make Everton debut due to foot issue

JUAN MABROMATA / AFP / Getty

World Cup star Yerry Mina won't make his debut for Everton on Saturday, as he is nursing a small foot injury.

The 23-year-old netted three headers for Colombia at the summer showpiece in Russia, where he partnered with Tottenham Hotspur's Davinson Sanchez in the center of defense. He moved to Everton on the final day of the English transfer window for an initial €30.25-million fee after being linked with a switch to Manchester United.

But he won't be in the matchday squad for the weekend's meeting with Southampton, leaving manager Marco Silva with a selection conundrum. Captain Phil Jagielka begins a three-match suspension for his red card at Wolverhampton Wanderers last week.

"Yerry Mina is not available to the match," Silva told Friday's press conference. "(Kurt) Zouma is available if I take the decision, and of course in this moment it is between him and Mason (Holgate)."

Zouma is with the Merseysiders after joining from Chelsea on a season-long loan. His 81 Premier League appearances easily trump Barnsley product Holgate's total of 34, but the Dutchman has dealt with fitness issues since rupturing his cruciate ligament in November 2016. Michael Keane played the full 90 minutes of Everton's entertaining 2-2 draw in the Black Country to begin their Premier League campaign.

Visitors Southampton, meanwhile, will make a late decision on Mohamed Elyounoussi's availability for the clash as he deals with a tight hamstring, but Stuart Armstrong should feature after being forced off at Burnley in the Saints' season opener.

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