The Everton manager has made two changes for the clash with Southampton on Saturday
Dwight McNeil has overcome injury concerns to make the Everton starting line-up for the trip to Southampton while Jarrad Branthwaite remains on the bench.
Those are the big calls made by Sean Dyche as he attempts to lead his Blues to a second consecutive away win – and extend the unbeaten run in the Premier League to six games.
He will take on that challenge with the help of McNeil, one of his most trusted lieutenants. The 24-year-old was a doubt for the match after hobbling off in the final stages of the draw against Fulham last week with an unspecified issue but has passed a late fitness test.
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McNeil, who scored his first Everton goal when the Blues won at St Mary’s two years ago, is set to take his place alongside attacking midfielders Jesper Lindstrom and Iliman Ndiaye and behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has survived the push for a start made by Beto following his last minute heroics seven days ago.
In a separate big call Branthwaite remains on the bench as Dyche maintains faith in centre back pairing James Tarkowski and Michael Keane.
Branthwaite made his first appearance since recovering from a quad issue when he came off the bench in the second half last week. Dyche said he was fit when he missed out at Ipswich a fortnight ago.
The only changes, therefore, are Lindstrom coming in for Jack Harrison and the return to the starting line-up of Orel Mangala, who replaces Abdoulaye Doucoure – another player who entered the game with fitness concerns after picking up a minor groin issue last week.
Starting line-up: Pickford; Mykolenko, Keane, Tarkowski, Young; Ndiaye, Mangala, Gueye, Harrison; McNeil; Calvert-Lewin
