Manchester United loanee Donny van de Beek was absent from Everton's squad to face Newcastle United on Thursday.
The Dutchman missed the important relegation clash with the Magpies as Frank Lampard's side looked to earn some respite from the drop zone after their dismal run. Wolves became the latest team to inflict damage on their hopes of Premier League survival after a rare goal from skipper Conor Coady.
Lampard confirmed that the on-loan Red would miss the visit of the resurgent North East outfit through illness, via the Liverpool Echo. It is the first match he has missed for the Toffees since his loan move on January deadline day.
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The Merseyside strugglers are on a torrid spell as they've picked up just three points since early December, thanks to a win over Leeds United - Van de Beek's Goodison Park debut. Prior to that, December 6 was their last triumph in the league where Demarai Gray scored a dramatic winner against Arsenal.
Last month, the Premier League legend heaped praise on the Reds outcast, he said: "I'm really impressed. On a professional level, since speaking to him and coming and seeing him train and play, absolutely impressed with his fitness, his game sharpness, but when you watch him train it doesn’t surprise you.
"When I think back to the time he’s had at Manchester United, he's a top-level player. He was when Manchester United signed him, he was at Ajax when I went up against him.
"To have a tough time is not easy, there’s different ways of reacting. I’m sure it was tough, and he shows that if you keep your counsel, keep your head down and keep working in the right way, there's always a way through it, and people will always respect you for that.
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"Now hopefully there’s a chance for him to just show his talent on a regular basis, and that’s what I hope to see."
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