There is only one choice for Everton to make about their Crystal Palace lineup: is Abdoulaye Doucoure fit?

Crystal Palace lineups for Everton with only one choice to make: is Abdoulaye Doucoure fit?

Chris Beesley: Pickford must start; there is no place for sentimentality.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Seamus Coleman are both concerns for Everton’s FA Cup third-round replay against Crystal Palace, according to manager Sean Dyche. Although the Blues can afford to rest their club captain, their top scorer is more difficult to replace.

While the Republic of Ireland international has been a mainstay for many years, he has only appeared four times this season across all competitions. On Sunday, Coleman smashed Everton’s Premier League appearance record against Aston Villa. The Blues’ oldest outfield player, Ashley Young, has been out of the lineup for the majority of the season, but according to Dyche, this game has come around too quickly, making Nathan Patterson the obvious choice to start.

Though Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma have both successfully filled in for Doucoure, there isn’t a natural like-for-like replacement. Hopefully, the 31-year-old can get past what his coach called “fatigue” to play again against Aston Villa. Danjuma performed admirably against the Eagles at Selhurst Park, and as Dwight McNeil appeared gaunt after making a quick comeback after being stretchered off in the same game, the on-loan player receives another start. Danjuma appeared disoriented when he attempted to play as “a number 10” in the Carabao Cup match against Burnley.

Joao Virginia also impressed last time out against Palace when featuring for Everton in front of fans for the first time. It’s nice to know he can be relied upon but there’s no room for sentiment from me and with the potential of another Goodison Park penalty shoot-out looming, Jordan Pickford remains in goal.

My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite; Mykolenko; Harrison, Garner, Doucoure, Onana, Danjuma; Calvert-Lewin.

Seamus Coleman remains Everton’s best right-back. That was proved again on Sunday when he overcame a testing start against the flying Alex Moreno to produce a typically polished performance. However, we shouldn’t expect the captain to play every game and tonight feels a perfect time to give another opportunity to Nathan Patterson.

And that, if Abdoulaye Doucoure is passed fit, is the only change that Sean Dyche needs to make tonight. Joao Virginia was excellent in the first game at Selhurst Park but with another home tie in the fourth round up for grabs, Jordan Pickford must return between the posts. To Dyche’s credit, the Blues boss has gone strong in the cup competitions this season.

Despite being a member of Dyche’s strongest team, Dwight McNeil shouldn’t be rushed back into the starting lineup, especially if Doucoure has bounced back from his injury. On Sunday, I felt sorry for Arnaut Danjuma. I felt that he was taken off the field too soon, and maybe this evening he will be given another opportunity.

Around the hour mark of the match against Aston Villa, Dominic Calvert-Lewin also got hooked after blowing a great chance to break his goal drought. However, I believe that what we saw of Beto is sufficient evidence for Calvert-Lewin to start at full strength despite his present difficulties in front of goal.

Pickford; Patterson; Tarkowski; Branthwaite; Mykolenko; Harrison; Garner; Doucoure; Onana; Danjuma; Calvert-Lewin comprise my team (4-5-1).

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