Leighton Baines is hopeful on the extent of Armando Broja’s latest injury.
Broja was handed a second-half substitute outing by Everton’s under-18 coach as he oversaw Thursday’s FA Cup win over Peterborough United.
The loanee forward lasted barely 20 minutes as he was stretchered off with a suspected ankle injury following a challenge from Emmanuel Fernandez.
But interim Blues’ joint-manager Baines revealed that Broja has not been taken to hospital, which offers hopes that his issue may not be as severe.
He said: “Obviously it looked bad.
“We saw him go off to the other side of the pitch and we weren’t sure if he went to hospital or not.
“He hasn’t because we don’t know the extent of it, but the fact that he hasn’t is a hopefully good sign.”
Baines also reflected on a whirlwind day at Goodison Park which saw him and Seamus Coleman placed in temporary charge after Sean Dyche’s sacking.
“A manager losing his job isn’t good and it usually follows a difficult period – not just a difficult day and it has been that,” he admitted.
“But within all of that, there has now got to be hope and optimism. That is something we have spoken about.
“Things are changing at the football club, with the ownership and the [new] stadium. The manager has had to leave and that’s not what anyone wants.
“But there will be a new manager coming in and that brings opportunity.”
