Callum O'Connell

Tue 19 December 2023 10:40, UK

Sean Dyche will be given food for thought with players returning from suspension and injuries ahead of the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash between Everton and Fulham on 19 December.

Both Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye missed the 2-0 win at Turf Moor through suspension, while Abdoulaye Doucoure picked up a knock and was withdrawn at half-time in the Premier League clash.

Fulham will also be without a key player after Raul Jiminez was handed a straight red card in their 3-0 defeat to Newcastle, in a boost to the Toffees chances.

Jordan Pickford will continue to prove how reliable he has been in between the sticks for Everton this season, after four consecutive clean sheets against Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Burnley.

Dyche switched his formation in the victory against Burnley, largely as a result of a lack of left-backs, with Vitality Mykolenko and Ashley Young both injured. Injury expert Ben Dinnery has listed both men as unlikely to return for the clash with Fulham [Premier Injuries], meaning Dyche should stick with his new formation.

The five-at-the-back lineup should see Dwight McNeil continue at left wing-back, while James Tarkowski, Ben Godfrey and Nathan Patterson also keep their places in the side.

Upon his return from injury, Branthwaite could return on the left-hand side of the three, replacing Michael Keane who will feel unlucky to miss out given his goalscoring display at Turf Moor.

In midfield, Doucoure is set to undergo a late fitness test, but Dinnery has claimed there is only a 25% chance of the Toffees’ top scorer this season making a return to the starting lineup against Fulham.

Instead, he will likely be replaced by Gueye, who alongside Branthwaite is returning from a one-game suspension. Another option for the midfield role would be James Garner, as he moved into that position when Doucoure was withdrawn against Burnley.

Garner, however, looks more likely to start the game in the left-wing position as he did at the weekend. A move into midfield would likely mean a start for Lewis Dobbin, who scored his first Premier League goal for the club in the win against Chelsea, but he narrowly misses out here.

Jack Harrison will continue his role on the right-hand side of midfield, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is replaced by Beto up front.

Dyche has spoken of the importance of preserving the striker’s fitness after his recurring injury issues, and after a lacklustre display at Turf Moor, now could provide the ideal chance to give him a rest and provide Beto with the chance from the start.

In other Everton news, Tony Bellew was wowed by one man after Finch Farm visits.