The Premier League weekend concludes at the Hill Dickinson Stadium as Everton host Tottenham.
Everton have had a whole week to prepare for this match, having last been in action eight days ago, when they lost 2-0 at Manchester City in the league. They have suffered a blow as centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who is yet to feature this season, has had to undergo surgery on his hamstring just as he was closing in on a return. David Moyes in unsure when Branthwaite will be back.
“We felt that we had him back. We had him back in full training and expected him to be very close for Man City, but he just did not feel quite right so we got it checked and got some work done on it. We would not put a timescale on it. We will give him a chance to heal and take his time.”
However, loanee Jack Grealish’s return should boost Everton after he was unavailable last time out against his parent club City.
Tottenham have not had the best first week after the October international break. They let a 1-0 lead at home to Aston Villa slip last weekend, falling to a 2-1 defeat, before drawing 0-0 at Monaco in the Champions League in the week. Thomas Frank has confirmed that captain Cristian Romero remains out as are Destiny Udogie and Dominic Solanke. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are long-term absentees.
“Every head coach wants all the players fit,” Frank said. “And we get that. Then we complain about the squad is too big because then you need to disappoint players. But anyway, I rather want that, of course. And it is what it is.
“I very, very rarely say anything about injuries because it is what it is. I need to deal with it. And it is my job to put the best possible available team on the pitch and get it hopefully clicking. Of course, there are some of these, let’s say, especially Kulusevski and Maddison, players that are proven at this club at scoring goals and assisting and creating things.
“So they would be lovely to be able to use. But I think we have some very talented players who are growing. Wilson [Odobert], Xavi [Simons], I think Mo [Kudus] has been very good for us as well. And I think Richie [Richarlison] had a good start to the season. But the reality is that we are working very hard on getting the flow with the front four. And hopefully it will be better bit by bit.”
This fixture last season ended in a 3-2 home victory for Everton in January although Tottenham did thrash Everton 4-0 in the reverse fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs have not won on their last six visits to Everton. Team news to follow shortly.
