James Garner could be set for a spell at right-back after Sean Dyche praised his display in Everton’s 1-1 draw at Leicester City. The midfielder was told on the morning of the match that he would be used to patch up a backline stricken by injury.
While Stephy Mavididi caused problems down Everton’s right throughout the game, Dyche praised Garner for his “terrific” performance – particularly given that he was one of several players hit by illness in the week.
The right-back dilemma will be one of several big calls for the Blues boss as he prepares for a crucial game with Crystal Palace next week.
Dyche will hope to be boosted by the returns of Vitalii Mykolenko and Idrissa Gueye while a clutch of players who fought through sickness and injury this week should be stronger for the match at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Seamus Coleman is a doubt for the visit of Palace with the calf injury he suffered on international duty having been more serious than first thought. Nathan Patterson took a step towards his return from hamstring surgery by playing for the Under-21s on Sunday but Dyche has suggested both he and fellow long-term absentee Jarrad Branthwaite may need time to build match fitness.
That would leave Dyche to choose between academy youngster Roman Dixon, Ashley Young and Garner as he prepares for another match of significance given Everton are winless after five Premier League matches.
Garner has played on the right of defence for the Blues and England Under-21s and director of football Kevin Thelwell last week cited the former Manchester United player as an option in that area of the pitch.
Young would be available to challenge him should Mykolenko return. The Ukraine international had left the pitch unwell at Aston Villa seven days earlier and missed the Carabao Cup defeat to Southampton.
It had been hoped he would make the trip to the King Power but he was unable to. Should he be available this weekend he would offer a vital boost to a defence that has been buffeted by injuries this summer.
Ahead of the defence, where Dyche will face further calls to introduce summer signing Jake O’Brien, the big question will be what to do with his midfield.
The Everton manager has heaped praise on new signing Tim Iroegbunam but said on Saturday that the youngster had seen more action than initially intended so soon into his Goodison career.
The first Premier League start for Orel Mangala and the decision to drop Abdoulaye Doucoure deeper gave Everton greater resilience in the middle and Dyche was pleased with both at Leicester.
Their display could encourage him to keep Garner at right-back and Iroegbunam on the bench, though should Gueye return to availability following the death of his dad, Dyche will have to consider breaking up that the Mangala and Doucoure partnership to integrate his most experienced midfielder.
Jack Harrison started on the bench in the Midlands and was another player struck by illness this week but Dyche has been pleased with Jesper Lindstrom who started his second consecutive game.
Like against Southampton in midweek, the Denmark international missed chances, but his pace made him a consistent threat as well an outlet to relieve pressure on the defence.
Dyche is a big fan of Harrison but may be tempted to start next week with the same dynamic frontline that repeatedly caused problems for Leicester.
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