For their survival matchup against Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park next Sunday, Sean Dyche may make a number of changes after Everton lost three defenders to injury in their 6-0 thumping at Chelsea.
Seeing Jarrad Branthwaite, the Blues’ breakout star of the season, get sent off early in the second half at Stamford Bridge was probably the most frightening thing for them. We have to wait and see, but we hope Jarrad is minor, Dyche remarked.
With only one Premier League game missed due to suspension since joining the team in the third game of the season, the 21-year-old has been an absolute revelation for Everton at the back, and his play has earned him his first England call-up.
It would be awful if there was any absence. Michael Keane, who took over for Branthwaite at Chelsea, appears certain to take over if the player is unable to recover in time to play the East Midlanders.
Ben Godfrey is another option, although he might be required at right-back given the injuries sustained by Nathan Patterson, the player who came in for him during the half, and captain Seamus Coleman. While the Scotland international has an apparent “more serious” hamstring injury, the captain of the Republic of Ireland has injured his groin.
After Godfrey’s nine-game run of consecutive starts in the starting lineup, eight of which came at right-back, Ashley Young, who has been playing right wing for the last three games but was primarily used as a full-back until suffering an injury in the rematch against Chelsea at Goodison Park in December, may also be moved back. Jack Harrison, who began playing in an advanced central role after the break in west London, may take the 38-year-old’s place on the flank.
James Garner and Amadou Onana, who Dyche hooked at halftime against Chelsea, may make central midfield a moveable feast as well. Also appearing was Andre Gomes.
could offer an alternative to Idrissa Gueye, who hasn’t been available for the last several games.
Ahead of the game, Dyche had stated in his pregame news conference that he hoped Dominic Calvert-Lewin would be ready to take on Mauricio Pochettino’s team, but that because of a hamstring problem, staff members were being “ultra-careful” with Everton’s number nine. The Blues will be hoping that their center-forward, who has scored in both of his prior games, can get back into the mix as they prepare for a week of three straight home games against rival Beto to lead the attack. The forward missed the crushing.
