Southampton: Everton’s Oumar Niasse could miss Saints game

Ahead of a must-win match this Sunday for Mauricio Pellegrino, Southampton have been handed a boost at the expense of their opponents.

Striker Oumar Niasse – who has found a new lease of life at the club – could soon be absent for as many as two games after being retrospectively charged for diving in this past weekend’s game against Crystal Palace.

The 27-year-old forward becomes the first player in the league to be charged for ‘successful deception of a match official’, a new rule that means players can be banned for simulation not picked up by the referee. He has until 6PM today to respond.

The Senegalese international has led the line on several occasions for Everton this season, with the side failing to truly replace the Manchester-bound Romelu Lukaku. Niasse has five league goals from seven games – two more than any Southampton player.

The incident in question relates to a challenge from Scott Dann inside the box that the referee awarded a spot-kick for. Niasse theatrically went down under little-to-no challenge from the centre-back, with Leighton Baines converting the penalty. The game would eventually finish 2-2, meaning Palace were arguably done out of all three points.

Assuming Niasse’s ban is upheld, he could also miss the mid-week fixture against West Ham next Wednesday, meaning he could be absent for a crucial couple of games.

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Since Ronald Koeman’s sacking the Toffees have climbed out of the drop zone but are still yet to kick on, after over £140 million of investment over the summer.

It remains unclear as to whether the Merseyside outfit will have announced their new full-time manager by the time Everton face off against the Saints this Sunday. After initially being linked with Burnley’s Sean Dyche, it seems that Watford’s Marco Silva could now be their first-choice after nearly a month with David Unsworth in temporary charge.

Replacing Niasse up front could be Spanish acquisition Sandro Ramirez, who is yet to get off the mark for his new club. Alternatively, the physicality of Wayne Rooney could be preferred to lead the line.