EVERTON star Dwight McNeil has been sleeping at his partner’s hospital bedside after she lost “an organ or two in urgent open surgery”.
The 24-year-old winger has been in action for the Toffees throughout their hectic festive period.
McNeil played the full game as Everton lost 2-1 at Tottenham on December 23, and repeated that in last Wednesday’s 3-1 home loss to Manchester City.
The ex-Burnley ace, who moved to Goodison Park from Turf Moor for £20m in July 2022, then managed 74 minutes of action in Saturday’s 3-0 setback at Wolves.
However, remarkably, he has managed to continue lining-up for Sean Dyche’s strugglers despite his partner Megan Sharpley undergoing a health battle.
Megan revealed her struggles in an emotional New Year’s Instagram post that was accompanied with a snap of herself laid in a hospital bed.
She explained that she has recently “undergone urgent open surgery and lost an organ or two”.
But she hailed “amazing human being” McNeil for being by her side every step of the way and looking after her.
Megan wrote: “Dwight, you held my hand every time the bad news came, you reminded me how strong I was and how it was all going to be okay.
“You dressed me, you washed me, you carried me, you fed me, you injected me, you juggled all your commitments whilst supporting me and never complained.
“You slept by my hospital bed and kept me giggling even when the world felt like it was ending. You are the most amazing human being.
“Now let’s leave the super tough times in 2023 and let’s go and take on forever. Another year utterly in love – I am blessed.”
McNeil then shared the heartwarming post on his own Instagram account and commented: “we a team, I love you little one.”
Megan had made another emotional post on New Year’s Eve, writing: “As a New Year is within sight, I pray for all the two things I’ve learnt to appreciate the most – health and happiness.
“From start to finish this year has been mentally and physically exhausting. Ending the year this last week, undergoing urgent open surgery and losing an organ or two only seems fitting.
“I know people have questions, which I’ll share in time, most I don’t have the answers to just yet, only that I’m not on the journey to recovery (take 2) and hoping for a result of full health.
“But know this, I stand in faith that whatever 2024 has in store for me I know I will be strong enough to own it, overcome it and hopefully… enjoy it.”
McNeil also replied to that post with a message that said: “Proud of you mooster.”
McNeil and Everton will be back on the pitch on Thursday when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.
