Sean Dyche to axe Michael Keane, two changes – Everton predicted XI vs Ipswich Town
Sean Dyche will be boosted by the returns of two important players when Everton visit Ipswich Town on Saturday (19 October).
Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko are expected to come into the lineup that drew 0-0 with Newcastle before the international break.
This will likely mean that senior players Michael Keane and Ashley Young are axed to the bench.
Everton boosted by Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko returns
As usual, Jordan Pickford will remain between the sticks and is expected to be fresh for the game, having sat out England’s 3-1 win over Finland on Sunday (13 October).
Defence is where there will be major changes, with James Savundra of Sky Sports reporting via X that Branthwaite and Mykolenko took part in full training on Tuesday (15 October) after missing the game against Newcastle through injury.
It is up to Dyche, who is still without Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson, to decide who he drops to make room for the two, leaving the door for any two of Keane, Young, James Tarkowski and James Garner to be dropped.
Keane and Young have been two of Everton’s worst players so far this season, so it would not be a surprise to see them named on the bench.
Having started together in each of the Toffees’ last four games in all competitions, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Orel Mangala are poised to continue as the double-pivot pairing, although Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam are options.
There are unlikely to be any surprises in the attack with Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil, Jack Harrison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin tipped to keep their places.
Ndiaye, McNeil and Calvert-Lewin have cemented their places and Harrison’s spot remains safe for now, although he is yet to contribute a goal or assist this term.
Summer signing Armanda Broja is still nursing a long-term injury that has prevented him from appearing for the Goodison Park outfit yet, while Youssef Chermiti is also out.
In other Everton news, this behind-the-scenes update suggests Dan Friedkin is influencing decisions at the club already.
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