SEAN DYCHE claimed Ashley Young “ripped his neck” against Chelsea.
The veteran full-back, 39, will miss the Boxing Day trip to Man City through suspension.
The former England star picked up his fifth booking of the serve in the draw with the Blues and must now serve a one-match ban.
He was subbed off with 15 minutes to go and replaced by club captain Seamus Coleman.
However, his manager revealed afterwards that he would have been a doubt for the Etihad anyway as the change was partially down to injury.
Dyche said: “Youngy is suspended anyway but he ripped his neck then he did a brilliant header at the far stick.
“We had to take him off for both reasons – to make sure he was OK physically and was on a yellow card.”
Both the experienced Young and his 18-year-old son Tyler, who plays for Peterborough United, will both be praying it is nothing serious.
That is because Everton face the League One club in the FA Cup on January 9 in what could see dad take on lad in a dream family showdown.
Young is still performing for Everton despite his age and has managed 14 Premier League appearances for the Toffees already this season.
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Elsewhere at Everton, The Friedkin Group (TFG) finalised its majority takeover of the club in a deal which is believed to be worth in excess of £400m.
Roundhouse Capital Holdings Limited, which is an entity within The Friedkin Group, have bought Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake in the club.
The group reached an agreement with Moshiri on 23 September and were awaiting regulatory approval, with the Premier League having the final say on the deal, which has now been granted.
