Everton Could make Two Changes for Fulham with key Players Returning and New Injury Concern

An outline of Sean Dyche’s options for Fulham’s visit, with Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye returning but other players’ availability still up in the air

Nathan Patterson should have the chance to start against Fulham and build on his strong performance against Burnley.

Due to injuries, Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young, who have both started at right back this season, were unable to participate in the victory at Turf Moor.

It is uncertain if either player will be available for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarterfinal.

But with Patterson fresh after having playing limited minutes this season and going into the match following a positive second half against Chelsea then 90 minutes on Saturday, the defender has made a strong case to retain his place.

That may be one of the easier decisions for Sean Dyche, who will be boosted for the match by the return of at least two key players.

Dyche was forced to make four changes to his starting line-up at Burnley, and to change formation as well.

Young, Coleman and Vitalii Mykolenko were absent through injury and Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye were serving one match suspensions after each picking up five yellow cards. Abdoulaye Doucoure was pulled off at half time after feeling a “tightness” in his hamstring.

What options will be available for Dyche are currently unclear. Mykolenko and Doucoure were each described as “touch and go” as Everton look to beat a Fulham side that has won at Goodison Park twice already in 2023. Should Doucoure be injured, Gueye will be the obvious replacement. Branthwaite will be an option at the back and so could return for one of Ben Godfrey or Michael Keane. Both were excellent at Burnley.

Godfrey also offers an option at left back if Dyche wishes to return to a back four and push Dwight McNeil further forward.

The match could also represent an opportunity for Beto and Arnaut Danjuma, who have both had minutes limited due to the form of those in front of them.

Although Dyche intends to field a strong team for the game, he might use Fulham as a chance to rest Dwight McNeil, Jack Harrison, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Raul Jimenez of Fulham is one player Everton won’t have to worry about. The attacker was sent off during his team’s loss to Newcastle United last weekend, after having struck the post at Goodison earlier in the season and finding form in a string of recent strong performances.

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