Beck Pascal

Mon 28 February 2022 14:30, UK

Everton will be handed the perfect distraction from their relegation worries as they prepare to face non-league Boreham Wood in the FA Cup on Thursday.

The Blues suffered a major blow in their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday (February 26) as they were denied a blatant last gasp penalty.

Frank Lampard is expected to make a host of changes for the Toffees cup tie and give some of the fringe players the chance to impress as they look to bounce back.

However, being on the back end of a giant killing in front of the home fans is the last thing the former Chelsea player wants as he tries to get the Everton fans on board, so a balanced team is needed.

Asmir Begovic will come in to replace Jordan Pickford between the sticks in a much-changed defensive Blues set up.

Mason Holgate is the only man in the defence to keep his place against Manchester City. The Englishman will be the senior man in the back line accompanied by Vitaliy Mykolenko, Jarrad Branthwaite with Nathan Patterson expected to make his first team debut.

Lampard’s midfield options are quite stretched therefore Allan is forced to go again at the base of midfield for the Blues.

Abdoulaye Doucoure will start but isn’t likely to finish the game as he works his way back to his best after missing several games out injured. He will be accompanied by Donny van de Beek in central midfield.

This would have been the perfect game for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to get himself back amongst the goals after his long-term injury, but he will miss out after failing a fitness test against City.

That leaves Salomon Rondon to lead the line, accompanied by Anwar El-Ghazi and Dele Alli on either wing with the pair desperately needing to kickstart their Toffees career.

In other Everton news, Tom Davies faces an ‘uncertain’ future at the club.

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