Everton boss David Moyes faced the media ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium (15:00 BST), and the news wasn't all positive for Toffees fans. The gaffer confirmed that midfield engine Idrissa Gueye and defensive stalwart Jarrad Branthwaite will both miss out against the Black Cats due to fitness concerns.

On Gueye, Moyes offered a glimmer of hope: "He's back on the grass, but he's just not available for this game. There's an outside chance he could make Tottenham, so we'll see how it goes." With the Senegalese midfielder out of contract at the end of the season, his long-term future remains a hot topic. "We'll talk about Gana in the coming weeks," Moyes added, hinting at ongoing discussions behind the scenes. "We're on with a lot of things."

But the biggest emotional weight of the press conference centered on club captain Seamus Coleman. After 17 years of loyal service, the Irish legend has announced he'll hang up his boots at the end of the season—and Sunday could be his final home game in an Everton shirt. Moyes, who originally signed Coleman for a bargain £60,000 back in January 2009 during his first spell at the club, was full of praise for the defender.

"Seamus wouldn't want me to say that because he wouldn't want me to think that way," Moyes said, reflecting on the possibility of a farewell appearance. "He would only think it should be done if it's right, and that's the way I see it as well."

The manager paid a heartfelt tribute to his captain's impact on and off the pitch. "I get the praise for it, but I have to praise the recruitment team who spotted him at the time and got him over from Ireland. At the club for 17 years—and I've missed quite a part of it—but more recently he's been the glue that's held an awful lot together. When it's difficult, he's the one who comes out and speaks and steps up to galvanise the team. He deserves a lot of credit as a human being for what he's done for Everton."

As for what comes next for the 35-year-old, Moyes was clear that Coleman's playing days aren't quite over yet. "What I admire about Seamus is he wants to keep playing and playing for his country," he said. "There will always be a desk for him when the time comes, don't worry about that. There should always be a place for Seamus, and there will be. It would be great for the young players as well. We want to keep Seamus's culture and Everton's culture behind the scenes going."

With the Toffees still eyeing a European push, Moyes acknowledged the challenge ahead without two key players. "Losing Seamus is a big blow," he admitted, underlining the importance of squad depth as the season reaches its critical final stretch. For fans heading to the stadium on Sunday, it's a chance to salute a true club legend—and perhaps catch a glimpse of what the future holds for this evolving Everton side.