Everton discover extent of Andros Townsend injury as League Two club owner makes stunning claim

Your Everton evening headlines for Wednesday, March 23.

Everton have confirmed Andros Townsend suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in their 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon at Selhurst Park.

The winger started the Blues' FA Cup quarter-final clash at the weekend but was substituted after just 16 minutes having gone down in the corner of the pitch under no challenge. After receiving a long spell of treatment, Townsend was carried to the sideline rather than using the stretcher that was brought onto the field.

The 30-year-oid, who was replaced by Demarai Gray, is set to undergo surgery next week on the issue, and it has been confirmed that he has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2021/22 season.

However, an exact timeframe on Townsend's return cannot be revealed at this early stage.

Forest Green Rovers chairman and major shareholder Dale Vince has claimed that he is responsible for the funding behind a protest group that recently disrupted an Everton match at Goodison Park.

Everton's home game with Newcastle United last Thursday was brought to a long halt in the second half after a spectator ran on to the pitch and attached himself to the goal post in front of the Gwladys Street Stand.

The protestor attached a plastic zip-tie to the goalpost and tightly around his neck while wearing a T-shirt bearing the words, 'Just Stop Oil'. Similar protests have been attempted at numerous Premier League stadiums across the country in recent weeks.

Speaking to talkSPORT on Wednesday, Vince claimed that he was the man who had offered the initial funding behind the campaign, and admitted being "amused" to see the disruption to Premier League matches that had occurred.