Why Jack Grealish was left out of Everton squad on Saturday

David Moyes has revealed why Jack Grealish was surprisingly absent for Everton in their clash against Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

As the teams were announced, Toffees fans were left bemused as their star winger was missing from the squad completely.

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Grealish had played in 16 of their 17 Premier League games ahead of the Burnley match, starting in 15 of those appearances.

But his name wasn’t on the teamsheet on Saturday…

Of course, Everton manager Moyes was instantly asked about the absence in his pre-match interview.

And he explained: “He’s just got a bit of a virus and not been well over Christmas time, so he’s not available today.”

So, Grealish misses out due to illness, leaving his side with limited options out wide for the Burnley clash.

Dwight McNeil and Tyler Dibling started on the wings instead.

For Dibling, it was only his second Premier League start for the club since his big-money move from Southampton in the summer.

And it was the same for McNeil too, as he made his second league start of the season, returning to fitness after injury.

Terrible timing

Grealish’s unfortunate illness came exactly when Moyes and Everton would not have wanted.

The Toffees are already without Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall through injury, and another two starters are away at AFCON.

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Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye have linked up with Senegal in Morocco, taking part in their second game of the tournament on Saturday at the same time as the Turf Moor clash.

Moyes addressed the major losses in his squad ahead of the game, saying: “Obviously, we’re missing players away at the AFCON and we’ve got a couple of injuries as well.

“But it’s no different to any other team.”

A win for Everton at Burnley would move them further into the top half of the table and see them bounce back.

Moyes’s side have lost their last two games to Arsenal and Chelsea after only losing one in six beforehand.

For Burnley, they haven’t won a game since October and are in desperate need for three points.

The Clarets sit 19th in the league, six points from safety.