Everton defender Michael Keane has reportedly picked up a knock and is therefore a doubt for their trip to Turf Moor to face Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.
What makes the news more concerning is the fact that regular starter Jarrad Branthwaite will miss the match with suspension.
Branthwaite took Keane's spot in the Everton team back in August, following their 4-0 loss at Aston Villa, and the youngster has played 14 consecutive matches in the league alongside James Tarkowski since.
Five clean sheets have followed, including three in eight days, as Sean Dyche's side made back nine of the 10 points that they had deducted by the Premier League last month.
However, a rash challenge on Cole Palmer in the second half of their win over Chelsea on Sunday saw Branthwaite punished, as Michael Oliver handed him his fifth booking of the season.
That means stand-in captain Tarkowski will have a new partner alongside him for the first time in four months, and Keane was the most-likely candidate.
However, the Liverpool Echo claims that Keane could miss the match against his former club, robbing him of a rare chance to impress in the starting XI.
Keane has found it tough in an Everton shirt when he has featured this season, being culpable for Villa's fourth goal in that 4-0 defeat in August, as well as conceding a penalty in the Merseyside derby when brought on as a substitute following Ashley Young's dismissal.
The ex-Burnley man's last start in a back four came against Doncaster Rovers in August alongside Ben Godfrey, when Evertoun found themselves behind at half time against a side who were bottom of the EFL at the time.
When Everton became the only side to avoid defeat at Villa Park since February in winning an EFL Cup third round tie there in September, Keane started, but in a back three alongside Tarkowski and Branthwaite.
With Keane a potential absentee though, that could open the door for Godfrey, who has not played a minute since replacing Tarkowski in injury time during a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United on September 2.
After struggling for form and fitness since breaking his leg on the opening day of last season, Godfrey has slipped to fourth-choice centre-back at Goodison Park, having now been an unused substitute for 13 straight games in all competitions.
Branthwaite will not be the only player out suspended for Everton at Turf Moor, as Idrissa Gueye's first-half caution means that he will also be absent.
Returns from injury and illness for Amadou Onana and James Garner have been well-timed though, as they should both start, but Everton are likely to be without a recognised midfielder on the bench once again. body check tags ::
