Everton and their supporters will have to wait until at least mid-September to see either Yerry Mina or Andre Gomes make their debut for the club.
The Toffees made waves late on the Premier League's transfer deadline day by signing Colombia's breakout World Cup defender Mina and Portugal international midfielder Gomes from Barcelona. Mina's acquisition was particularly headline-worthy, given the initial €30.25-million fee and the reported interest from Manchester United.
Neither player was fit when signed, so their absences thus far have been expected. However, though it was hoped they would soon be ready to integrate themselves on Merseyside, manager Marco Silva admitted on Thursday the duo won't be in contention to play for at least another three weeks.
"It looks maybe after the international break they can start working with us," Silva told reporters, as quoted by the Guardian's Andy Hunter. "(Mina) is recovering from an old injury. It is not something that happened here and not something special. The report I had from our medical staff is it is not serious, but you have to take more days to put him in at that level. It is an injury he arrived here with."
That time frame leaves the clash with West Ham United on Sept. 16 as the first possible appearance for either player.
Meanwhile, Silva suggested fellow summer arrivals Lucas Digne - also brought in from La Blaugrana - and Bernard could be fit to play a part against Bournemouth on Saturday.
"Lucas is working with us, he had a small problem but everything is okay now," Silva said, per Sky Sports. "Bernard is improving his condition and doing well and tomorrow I will take a decision."
Everton have gone unbeaten in their first two Premier League games of the season without Mina or Gomes, drawing 2-2 at promoted Wolves and beating Southampton 2-1 last weekend at Goodison Park.
