Christian Norgaard has started training with Everton following an injury-hit start to his time at the club. The 32-year-old is yet to feature for David Moyes after arriving in a £7m deal from Premier League winners Arsenal in the summer.
An injury, unspecified by the club, has kept him out of action so far. While Moyes has acknowledged the length of his absence was unexpected, his anticipated return has repeatedly been slated for after the international break.
Progress at Finch Farm
In a sign of progress, Norgaard has started training with his new teammates at Finch Farm. Images released by the club showed him out on the training pitches alongside the likes of Jack Grealish.
Norgaard's development will come as a boost to Moyes, who has lacked a specialist defensive midfielder in the early stages of the season. The Denmark international will provide useful experience and competition upon his return, particularly given Everton have a small squad.
Squad availability ahead of Hull clash
It also raises the potential for all 18 of Moyes' senior outfield players to be fit when the Blues return to action against Hull City next month. Merlin Rohl had missed several games but is expected to be back before the end of the international break. Vitalii Mykolenko did miss Ukraine's draw with Georgia on Monday amid concerns over an injury.
Meanwhile, Tim Iroegbunam looks set to be sidelined for Hull's clash with his former club on Sunday, October 11. The ECHO's sister website, Hull Live, report the midfielder has aggravated an existing groin injury, which almost saw his summer move to the Tigers scuppered.
Iroegbunam's impressive performance off the bench in Hull's last outing before the international break, a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United, looked to have earned him a first start for his new club against Everton, who sanctioned his departure on transfer deadline day in a deal that could be worth £22m. But the 23-year-old is now a major doubt and could be sidelined for much of October.
