David Moyes faces several selection decisions as Everton prepare for Thursday’s Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle United.
The Blues went into Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal without Jarrad Branthwaite and Jack Grealish before Vitalii Mykolenko was forced off during the second half. With a place in the quarter-finals at stake at the Hill Dickinson, Moyes must now decide how much he can change a squad already short of options.
Moyes has decisions to make against Newcastle
Defence is the immediate concern. Branthwaite missed Arsenal under concussion protocols, and Mykolenko’s fitness is now another issue, leaving Everton potentially short on the left side. Clearly, that has consequences elsewhere. James Garner finished the Arsenal game at left-back, while Merlin Rohl started on the opposite flank. As the Liverpool Echo reports, using both as full-backs would reduce Moyes’ options in midfield.
Thursday could therefore provide opportunities for players who have been waiting for starts. Hayden Hackney, Tyler Dibling, Charly Alcaraz and Ainsley Maitland-Niles were among the substitutes at Arsenal and could come into consideration if Moyes freshens up his side.
The greatest difficulty may be further forward. Thierno Barry remains Everton’s only recognised senior centre-forward, giving Moyes little scope to rotate in attack. Everton have lost their past two league games without scoring, but Newcastle provides an immediate opportunity to change the direction of the week. Moyes must balance that opportunity against the condition of a squad that is already being stretched.
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