Everton’s Mason Holgate handed a career lifeline by Yerry Mina’s injury

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Mason Holgate may have been given a career lifeline at Goodison Park as Yerry Mina’s injury could see the Colombian miss this weekend’s clash with Brighton.

On the chalkboard

Mina sustained a hamstring problem in the win over West Ham United last weekend, and Everton have reported that the Colombian remains a doubt for the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.

In his press conference, Marco Silva said: “[On Mina] it’s not such good news at the moment. Of course, we have two more days until the game, so let’s see how he is tomorrow and on matchday as well.

“It’s not a serious, serious injury but it’s something that until now hasn’t put Yerry ready to work with the team in a full session.”

In place of the 25-year-old will most likely be Holgate: “Mason is ready and prepared,” Silva said. “He’s showed me every single day that he’s working hard to achieve and get his chance.

“He already did in two Carabao Cup matches. He did well, performed well and, in the game against Sheffield Wednesday, he did a very good game.

“I’m 100 per cent sure if he gets the chance he’ll be ready to perform at his level because we believe in him.”

Not many chances left

Holgate is now 23 and is at an age where he should have tied down a regular spot within the squad. If the situation continues where Holgate is out of the starting XI, surely he will have to consider plans elsewhere.

The Englishman has seen just 18 minutes so far in the Premier League this season, but the 90 minutes he could get against the Seagulls may be his most important for the Blues to date.

Both Mina and Michael Keane have started every game so far in the league, but they have let in 13 goals in nine games at the back despite some glimpses of improvement.

Although they were both impressive against West Ham, neither of them have proven themselves to be un-droppable, and so a top performance from Holgate this weekend could just rescue his chance to become a Toffees regular.

At 23 and out of the starting XI, this is his golden opportunity – a mistake-riddled display that ends in defeat would surely put the nail in the coffin of his future at Goodison.