Everton could be without four players for Leeds opener as update expected

Everton could be without four players for the trip to Leeds United on Monday.

Vitalii Mykolenko, Nathan Patterson, Jarrad Branthwaite and Harrison Armstrong could all miss out on the Premier League curtain-raiser due to injury. David Moyes is expected to provide updates on his squad in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

The issues would force Moyes to rethink his backline and will add further pressure to solve the club’s longstanding right back problem before the end of the transfer window.

READ MORE: Jack Grealish joins Everton training as two key men absent amid injury concernsREAD MORE: Everton handed Jack Grealish transfer verdict by former England coach – ‘Signing of the season’Everton had hoped it would be addressed through the signing of Kenny Tete, only for the Fulham defender to walk away from advanced talks and sign a fresh deal at Craven Cottage.

The lack of depth in that position – with both Patterson and Seamus Coleman having suffered regular injury misfortune – has led to Moyes ending pre-season with centre back Jake O’Brien operating there.

With Branthwaite understood to have suffered a hamstring concern in training this week, there will be pressure on O’Brien to move into his natural position – though Michael Keane is available to step up after he agreed a contract extension last month.

Armstrong, meanwhile, is dealing with a minor thigh problem suffered in training and could be close to recovering in time.

One player who may well be involved is new signing Jack Grealish. The 29-year-old loanee has not been a feature of the pre-season schedule at his parent club, Manchester City, but started training with his new teammates on Tuesday.