Everton defender Vitaliy Mykolenko is in danger of missing Euro 2024 due to an injury too serious for him to play again

Everton's Ukrainian international defender Vitaliy Mykolenko is at risk of missing Euro 2024, talkSPORT understands.

Mykolenko suffered a suspected ankle ligament injury during the 2-0 Merseyside derby win over Liverpool last week.

The left back landed awkwardly on his left ankle during the first half, but continued playing until half-time. Everton led.

Despite his resilience to push forward, he was substituted at half-time and missed the 1-0 win against Brentford on Saturday.

The Toffees are exploring a variety of options to ensure he returns to fitness as soon as possible.

However, Mykolenko's injury could mean bad news for Ukraine's chances of Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.

They played in all of their qualification matches and they finished third behind England and Italy in Group C.

Mykolenko also featured in their play-off victories against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland to qualify for the tournament.

Ukraine will face Belgium, Slovakia and Romania in Group E in Germany, although the Everton defender may not feature.

The winger signed for the Toffees in the January transfer market of the 2021/22 season from Dynamo Kyiv.

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Since then, he has played 85 games in all the club's competitions and scored three goals.

Mykolenko has started 28 of Everton's Premier League games this season and has been crucial to their survival.

Despite being deducted a total of eight points for breaching profit and sustainability rules, they are 11 points from relegation with three games left to play.

It is the third consecutive season in which they have been close to relegation, but next season they will return to play in the top category.