Everton may have ulterior motive for Blackburn friendly - and it involves signing one of their players

Everton may face Blackburn Rovers in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the international break.

The extended three-week September-October break gives David Moyes plenty of time to work with players who haven't been called up by their respective national teams.

After five Premier League games, the Toffees are unbeaten, but there are plenty of areas to improve.

After an underwhelming end to the summer transfer window, leaving Moyes with just one natural striker at Hill Dickinson Stadium, additions are expected in the winter transfer window.

There's still a long way to go until January, but the recruitment department will likely already have a list of targets they will be working on.

With the Merseyside outfit's defensive depth also depleting, that may be another area they look to strengthen.

Who David Moyes could have eyes on in Everton friendly vs Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn are looking to play a friendly against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium during the lengthy pause to the league season.

Moyes will have a host of first-team players still at his disposal at the Toffees who will need to keep their match fitness.

The Blues may be killing two birds with one stone if the Rovers make their way to L3.

Ryan Alebiosu was linked with a move to Hill Dickinson Stadium in the summer, but ended up staying at Ewood Park.

The Nigeria international hasn't been called up by Eric Chelle for the AFCON qualifiers and could potentially play in the friendly against the Merseyside outfit.

Moyes may have a chance to personally assess Alebiosu soon as the club decide on their winter transfer strategy.

Three transfers David Moyes should want in January

Everton have just 18 outfield players in the first-team squad after Nathan Patterson, Iliman Ndiaye and Beto's departure on deadline day.

A deal for Folarin Balogun fell through at the last minute and the Toffees will surely look to bring in another striker in January.

At right-back, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Merlin Rohl seem to be Moyes' two options, but signing a natural defender like Alebiosu would make sense.

Vitalii Mykolenko is another player who the Blues have inadequate cover for in the squad, leaving the recruitment team with plenty of work to do when the transfer window reopens.