Daniel Feliciano

Thu 14 December 2023 13:39, UK

Sean Dyche has confirmed Everton are without Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman for the clash with Burnley, but Michael Keane has trained.

Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye are suspended too, leaving the boss with some big decisions to make in his first return to Turf Moor since being sacked at the end of the 2021/22 season.

Andre Gomes continues to train and work towards regaining full fitness, while Dele Alli is still not fit enough to be in contention for the game.

“Gana and Jarrad are suspended,” he said. “Youngy and Seamus won’t be right for this one. We’re hoping for a quick recovery from them two.

“Keano has trained today so as long as there is no reaction he’ll be back in the thinking. Mykolenko had a bit of a niggle but he’ll be okay, Dom [Calvert-Lewin] is fine.

“Andre needs 90 minutes and we’re hoping he gets that tomorrow [for the U21’s].”

Tough task

Everton are in sensational form right now and it’s a huge credit to the manager for what he has done despite facing so much adversity from outside.

The team have found a way to win games even if not playing to their best, but this fixture will be full of emotion for the manager and a team that isn’t at full strength for a while.

Branthwaite will be an absolutely huge loss and if Michael Keane is fit then that may not necessarily be a good thing as his form has been questionable for a while, but Ben Godfrey is clearly not Dyche’s favourite type of defender.

Gueye’s absence isn’t as big an issue as it could have been now that Amadou Onana is fit and has returned, meaning he can partner James Garner in the middle and provide energy and steel too.

Dyche has some decisions to make, but Everton will be heading into this game as favourites for the first time in a while. A win creates an even bigger gap between them and the relegation zone too, so all eyes ahead to Turf Moor.

In other Everton news, pundit tips Toffees loanee to join new club in January with most likely destination named.