Dominic Calvert-Lewin decision to be made as Jordan Pickford to miss out – Everton predicted XI v Southampton
Frank Lampard will look to keep momentum rolling for Everton when they take on Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The Toffees picked up their first win of the season when Neal Maupay’s first goal of the campaign earned them a 1-0 victory over West Ham before the international break, and extended their unbeaten run to six in all competitions.
But now Lampard has some decisions to make after injuries during the international break and players’ fitness in question as they look to return from their own health problems.
In goal Jordan Pickford was forced to miss the win over West Ham with a thigh injury and wasn’t called up to the England squad for the most recent internationals either.
It’s unlikely that he will be fit to return and be ready for the game, so Asmir Begovic should be able to continue in goal once again.
Nathan Patterson has been ruled out for the next four to six weeks with an ankle injury picked up while playing for Scotland, and that should allow captain Seamus Coleman to return to the side for the first time this season from the start.
Conor Coady didn’t feature for England despite getting a call up during the break so should return to partner James Tarkowski in the centre of defence, while Vitalii Mykolenko will keep his place on the left with his form good.
Idriss Gana Gueye made his second debut for the club in the win as their holding midfielder and he showed his quality immediately, so should keep his place in the side at the base of the midfield three.
Supporting him will be the energy and quality of Alex Iwobi and Amadou Onana, who both had excellent performances with their international teams during the recent break with Onana in particular being branded a “breath of fresh air” for Belgium.
In attack Anthony Gordon was excellent for the England Under-21’s in their win over Germany, earning an assist in the game and he will no doubt keep his place on the wing as the most essential player in the Everton team under Lampard.
Demarai Gray has been in great form on the left and is likely to keep summer signing Dwight McNeil out of the side once again, while there is a big decision to make up front.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is yet to make an appearance this season after suffering with a thigh injury, but he has returned to training now.
There was a rumour that he had suffered another injury, however that was rubbished and he is expected to be able to play against the Saints. But it’s far more likely he starts on the bench, meaning Maupay continues as the number nine.
Everton predicted XI vs Southampton: Begovic; Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi; Gordon, Maupay, Gray